Shloka 20

यक्षेश्वर उवाच । किमर्थं संस्थिता यूयमत्र सर्वे सुरा मिथः । किमु काष्ठाखिलम्ब्रूत कारणं मेनुपृच्छते

yakṣeśvara uvāca | kimarthaṃ saṃsthitā yūyamatra sarve surā mithaḥ | kimu kāṣṭhākhilambrūta kāraṇaṃ menupṛcchate

Yakṣeśvara said: “For what purpose are all you gods assembled here together? Tell me the true reason without concealment, for I am asking you.”

yakṣa-īśvaraḥthe lord of Yakṣas
yakṣa-īśvaraḥ:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeNoun
Rootyakṣa + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.1), Ekavacana; तत्पुरुषः (yakṣāṇām īśvaraḥ = lord of Yakṣas)
uvācasaid
uvāca:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootvac (वच् धातु)
FormLiṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada
kim-arthamwhy
kim-artham:
Hetu (हेतु/Reason)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootkim + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
FormAvyaya; प्रश्न-अव्यय (interrogative adverb) formed as अव्ययीभाव ‘for what purpose/why’
saṃsthitāḥstanding/assembled
saṃsthitāḥ:
Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsthā (स्था धातु)
FormKta-kṛdanta (past participle), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.1), Bahuvacana; predicate adjective with yūyam
yūyamyou (all)
yūyam:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
TypeNoun
Rootyuṣmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormPrathamā (Nom.1), Bahuvacana; pronoun (2nd person plural)
atrahere
atra:
Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootatra (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; deśa-vācaka adverb (here)
sarveall
sarve:
Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsarva (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.1), Bahuvacana; विशेषण qualifying surāḥ
surāḥgods
surāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता/Subject; in address)
TypeNoun
Rootsura (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṃliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.1), Bahuvacana
mithaḥamong yourselves
mithaḥ:
Sambandha (mutual relation)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootmithaḥ (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; paraspara-vācaka (reciprocally/among yourselves)
kimwhat/why (interrogative)
kim:
Prashna (प्रश्न)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootkim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormInterrogative particle used adverbially (question marker)
uindeed/then
u:
Sambandha (particle)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootu (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; nipāta adding emphasis/alternation (indeed/then)
kāṣṭha-akhilamthe entire log/piece of wood
kāṣṭha-akhilam:
Karma (कर्म/Object of ‘brūta’)
TypeNoun
Rootkāṣṭha + akhila (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNapुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc.2), Ekavacana; कर्मधारयः—akhilaṃ kāṣṭham (the whole log/entire piece of wood)
brūtatell (you all)
brūta:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootbrū (ब्रू धातु)
FormLoṭ-lakāra (Imperative), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd), Bahuvacana; parasmaipada
kāraṇamthe reason
kāraṇam:
Karma (कर्म/Object)
TypeNoun
Rootkāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNapुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc.2), Ekavacana
meto me / of me
me:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
TypeNoun
Rootasmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormṢaṣṭhī vibhakti (Genitive/6th), Ekavacana; enclitic form
anu-pṛcchateasks (in detail)
anu-pṛcchate:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootprach (प्रच्छ् धातु) with anu-
FormLaṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; ātmanepada; ‘he asks (after/in detail)’

Yakṣēśvara (Lord of the Yakṣas, i.e., Kubera)

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Sthala Purana: Yakṣeśvara interrogates the devas to draw out their concealed motive and expose pride; the questioning is the first step toward their correction and grace.

Significance: Models satya-vākya and openness before the Lord; encourages confession of motives and surrender, prerequisites for anugraha.

Mantra: kimarthaṃ saṃsthitā yūyamatra sarve surā mithaḥ | ... kāraṇaṃ me 'nupṛcchate

Role: teaching

Y
Yakṣēśvara
D
Devas

FAQs

It highlights truthful inquiry (satya-prashna) before divine action—an essential Shaiva virtue where even gods must clearly state their intent when approaching matters connected to the Supreme Lord (Pati) and cosmic order.

The verse sets a narrative tone of seeking a definite cause and purpose—mirroring how devotees approach Saguna Shiva or the Linga with clear sankalpa (intention) and open confession of need, rather than hidden motives.

A practical takeaway is to begin Shiva worship with a clear sankalpa and honest self-inquiry—mentally stating one’s purpose before japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” rather than performing ritual mechanically.