Shloka 35

देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent

Devanagari script

गजरत्नं त्वयानीतं शक्रस्यैरावतस्तथा । अश्वरत्नं महावीर सूर्यस्योच्चैःश्रवा हयः

Transliteration

gajaratnaṃ tvayānītaṃ śakrasyairāvatastathā | aśvaratnaṃ mahāvīra sūryasyoccaiḥśravā hayaḥ

Translation

“You have brought the jewel among elephants—Indra’s Airāvata. And (you have brought) the jewel among horses, O great hero—the steed Uccaiḥśravā, famed among the celestial steeds (as radiant as the Sun).”

Word by Word

• गज-रत्नम्: the elephant-gem (precious elephant)
• गज-रत्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गजस्य रत्नम्)

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/सहायक), एकवचन

• आनीतम्: brought
• आनीतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-नी (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा एकवचन; कर्मणि-भावः “brought”

• शक्रस्य: of Indra
• शक्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• ऐरावतः: Airāvata (Indra’s elephant)
• ऐरावतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐरावत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—उपपद/क्रियाविशेषण

• अश्व-रत्नम्: the horse-gem (precious horse)
• अश्व-रत्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अश्वस्य रत्नम्)

• महावीर: O great hero
• महावीर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (vocative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् वीरः)

• सूर्यस्य: of the Sun
• सूर्यस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उच्चैःश्रवाः: Ucchaiḥśravā (the divine horse)
• उच्चैःश्रवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उच्चैःश्रवस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हयः: horse
• हयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages, conveying the praise spoken in the story)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Śakra)
• Airāvata
• Uccaiḥśravā
• Sūrya

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the highest forms of worldly and celestial excellence (royal power, victory, prestige) being presented as trophies—implying that even the greatest attainments remain offerings within the larger Shaiva vision, where true fulfillment is devotion to Pati (Śiva) rather than possession.

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta framing, such celestial ‘ratnas’ represent finite glories within māyā; the devotee is guided to offer all accomplishments at the feet of Saguna Śiva (often worshiped as the Liṅga), transforming pride into pūjā and aligning the soul (paśu) toward Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is īśvara-arpaṇa (offering): mentally dedicate successes and possessions to Śiva while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating humility and non-attachment alongside regular Liṅga-pūjā (with bhasma/Tripuṇḍra if practiced).