Shloka 22

Devanagari script

दंशिता वररत्नाढ्या लोकपालास्तथैव च । सर्वे देवा यथार्थं वै कृता वै विश्वकर्मणा

Transliteration

daṃśitā vararatnāḍhyā lokapālāstathaiva ca | sarve devā yathārthaṃ vai kṛtā vai viśvakarmaṇā

Translation

Adorned and richly embellished with excellent jewels, and likewise the Lokapālas (Guardians of the Worlds)—indeed, all the gods—were fashioned by Viśvakarmā in fitting and perfect form.

Word by Word

• daṃśitāḥ: adorned/ornamented
• daṃśitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa of lokapālāḥ (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daṃśita (कृदन्त; √daṃś/दंश्)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); Bhūtakṛdanta (Past passive participle)

• vara-ratna-āḍhyāḥ: rich with excellent jewels
• vara-ratna-āḍhyāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa of lokapālāḥ (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक) + ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + āḍhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); Samāsa: tatpuruṣa—vara-ratnaiḥ āḍhyāḥ (rich with excellent jewels)

• lokapālāḥ: the world-guardians
• lokapālāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka-pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); Samāsa: tatpuruṣa—lokān pālayanti iti (protectors of the worlds)

• tathā: thus/likewise
• tathā: Sambandha/Modifier (सम्बन्ध/विशेषणभाव)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle of emphasis (निपात)

• ca: and
• ca: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Viśeṣaṇa of devāḥ (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• yathā-artham: as is proper/appropriately
• yathā-artham: Manner/Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva samāsa; adverbial accusative sense (क्रियाविशेषण)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; emphatic particle (निपात)

• kṛtāḥ: made/created
• kṛtāḥ: Predicate adjective of devāḥ/lokapālāḥ (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ/कृ)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural); Bhūtakṛdanta (Past passive participle)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; emphatic particle (निपात)

• viśvakarmaṇā: by Viśvakarman
• viśvakarmaṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvakarman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it depicts the cosmic hierarchy (devas, lokapālas) arranged in proper order—an outward sign of Śiva’s supreme overlordship (pati-tattva).

Significance: Recollection of the lokapālas and devas in ordered attendance reinforces the purāṇic lesson: all powers are derivative and find their ‘yathārtha’ (proper measure) under Śiva.

Characters & Entities

• Vishvakarma
• Lokapalas
• Devas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights cosmic order and sacred beauty: even the devas and Lokapālas appear in “right measure” (yathārtham), implying that all manifested splendor serves dharma and ultimately points to the higher sovereignty of Pati—Lord Shiva—who transcends yet governs the cosmos.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse emphasizes well-formed divine manifestations (saguṇa forms). In Shaiva understanding, such forms support devotion and ritual focus, while Linga-worship centers the devotee on Shiva as the supreme reality who empowers all devas, artisanship, and cosmic functions.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate reverent “yathārtha” worship—clean, proportionate, and sincere pūjā—using Shaiva staples like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), Rudrākṣa, and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” recognizing all divine splendor as ordered under Shiva.