Shloka 52

गोत्र-प्रवर-प्रश्नः तथा तिथ्यादि-कीर्तनं

Gotra–Pravara Inquiry and Proclamation of Auspicious Time

Devanagari script

नागानां शतलक्षं हि रथानां च तथा मुने । सुवर्णजटितानां च रत्नसारविनिर्मितम्

Transliteration

nāgānāṃ śatalakṣaṃ hi rathānāṃ ca tathā mune | suvarṇajaṭitānāṃ ca ratnasāravinirmitam

Translation

O sage, there were indeed a hundred thousand elephants, and chariots as well in like measure—adorned with gold and fashioned from the finest essence of gems.

Word by Word

• नागानाम्: of elephants
• नागानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• शतलक्षम्: a hundred lakhs (ten million)
• शतलक्षम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत + लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (संख्यापूर्वपद): शतलक्षम् (=100 lakhs); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Nipata (निपात/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (Emphatic/indeclinable particle)

• रथानाम्: of chariots
• रथानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (Conjunction)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Also)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/तुल्यतावाचक)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुवर्णजटितानाम्: of those inlaid with gold
• सुवर्णजटितानाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुवर्ण + जटित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; जट्/जटि + क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: सुवर्णेन जटित (inlaid/ornamented with gold); षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (रथानाम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (Conjunction)

• रत्नसारविनिर्मितम्: made of precious gem-substance
• रत्नसारविनिर्मितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न + सार + विनिर्मित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; वि + नि + √मा/निर्मा + क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: रत्नसारेण विनिर्मितम् (made of gem-essence/precious substance); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (शतलक्षम्/समूहवाचक)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse highlights extraordinary abundance offered in a sacred context, pointing to the Shaiva idea that worldly splendor gains true meaning when dedicated to dharma and devotion—transforming wealth into a support for bhakti and spiritual merit.

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

Such descriptions of gold- and gem-adorned gifts reflect the Purāṇic mode of honoring Saguna Shiva through tangible offerings; when offered with humility, these become outward expressions of inner surrender to Shiva as Pati (the Lord).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is dāna (charitable giving) and upacāra-pūjā (ritual offerings) performed with remembrance of Shiva—ideally accompanied by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” to sanctify the act.