Shloka 26

हिमवतः सुमङ्गलोत्सव-नगररचना

Himavān’s Auspicious Festival Preparations and City Adornment

Devanagari script

ऐरावतगजारूढश्शक्रस्स्वदलसंयुतः । कृत्रिमो निर्मितस्तद्वत्परिपूर्णेन्दुसंनिभः

Transliteration

airāvatagajārūḍhaśśakrassvadalasaṃyutaḥ | kṛtrimo nirmitastadvatparipūrṇendusaṃnibhaḥ

Translation

Mounted upon the elephant Airāvata, Indra (Śakra), with his retinue, was fashioned there as an artificial figure—complete in every detail and shining like the full moon.

Word by Word

• airāvata-gaja-ārūḍhaḥ: mounted on the elephant Airāvata
• airāvata-gaja-ārūḍhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: airāvata + gaja + ārūḍha (कृदन्त; ā-√ruh)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: ऐरावत-गज (Airāvata elephant) + आरूढ (mounted)

• śakraḥ: Śakra (Indra)
• śakraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• sva-dala-saṃyutaḥ: accompanied by his own forces
• sva-dala-saṃyutaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva + dala + saṃyuta (कृदन्त; सम्+√yuj)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: स्व-दल (own troops/retinue) + संयुत (joined with)

• kṛtrimaḥ: artificial
• kṛtrimaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtrima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• nirmitaḥ: made
• nirmitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया; predicate participle)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-√mā (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tadvat: likewise
• tadvat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadvat (अव्यय)
• Form: तुल्यताबोधक अव्यय (indeclinable of comparison)

• paripūrṇa-indu-saṃnibhaḥ: resembling the full moon
• paripūrṇa-indu-saṃnibhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paripūrṇa + indu + saṃnibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: परिपूर्ण-इन्दु (full moon) + संनिभ (resembling)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Airavata

FAQs

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

By describing even Indra as a constructed, image-like presence, the verse underscores Shaiva Siddhānta’s emphasis that all exalted cosmic roles remain within the created order (pāśa), while liberation comes by taking refuge in Śiva, the supreme Pati.

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

The verse contrasts worldly splendor—Indra on Airāvata, radiant like the full moon—with the Shaiva focus on enduring worship: the Liṅga as the stable, grace-bestowing support for saguna upāsanā that leads the soul beyond transient celestial status.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to redirect admiration for divine pageantry into steady Śiva-upāsanā: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa, cultivating detachment from mere grandeur and seeking Śiva’s anugraha (grace).