Shloka 45

शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)

Devanagari script

आगत्य तस्थौ सा तत्र योगिनीनां त्रिकोटिभिः । सार्द्धं च डाकिनीनां वै विकटानां त्रिकोटिभिः

Transliteration

āgatya tasthau sā tatra yoginīnāṃ trikoṭibhiḥ | sārddhaṃ ca ḍākinīnāṃ vai vikaṭānāṃ trikoṭibhiḥ

Translation

Having arrived there, she stood accompanied by three crores of Yoginīs, and indeed together with three crores of fierce, formidable Ḍākinīs.

Word by Word

आगत्यhaving come

तस्थौstood, remained

साshe

तत्रthere

योगिनीनाम्of the yoginīs

त्रिकोटिभिःby three crores (in number)

सार्द्धम्together with

चand

डाकिनीनाम्of the ḍākinīs

वैindeed

विकटानाम्of the fierce/terrible (ones)

त्रिकोटिभिःby three crores (in number)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

Yoginīs

Ḍ

Ḍākinīs

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the vast, organized power of Śakti’s retinue—Yoginīs and fierce Ḍākinīs—showing that cosmic order (dharma) is protected through divine energies that act under the supreme governance of Pati (Śiva) in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

By depicting Śakti’s formidable attendants, the text points to Saguna worship where devotees honor Śiva together with His dynamic power (Śakti). In Linga worship, this is remembered as Śiva being the transcendent Lord while His energies manifest as protective forces sustaining creation and defeating adharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is protective japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as Shaiva safeguards, cultivating inner steadiness while invoking Śiva-Śakti’s protection amid conflict and fear.