Shloka 8

यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean

Devanagari script

ततः सुरा सुरगणा ममन्थुः पुनरेव तम् । विषदाहविनिर्मुक्ताः शिवानुग्रहतोऽखिलाः

Transliteration

tataḥ surā suragaṇā mamanthuḥ punareva tam | viṣadāhavinirmuktāḥ śivānugrahato'khilāḥ

Translation

Then the Devas and the hosts of gods churned it once more. By Lord Śiva’s grace, all were wholly freed from the burning torment of poison, and with renewed steadiness they resumed the churning.

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter/from then
• ततः: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb): 'from that/thereafter'

• सुराः: the gods
• सुराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• सुरगणाः: groups of gods
• सुरगणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सुराणां गणाः)

• ममन्थुः: churned
• ममन्थुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: manth (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), निपात (particle) — emphasis

• तम्: that (it/him)
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विषदाहविनिर्मुक्ताः: freed from the burning of poison
• विषदाहविनिर्मुक्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣa + dāha + vinirmukta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √muc धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) 'विनिर्मुक्त' (released); तत्पुरुष-समास: विषस्य दाहः (poison-burning) तस्मात् विनिर्मुक्ताः

• शिवानुग्रहतः: due to Shiva's grace
• शिवानुग्रहतः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śiva + anugraha + tas (अव्यय-निर्माण)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) 'due to/from'; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: शिवस्य अनुग्रहः

• अखिलाः: all (of them)
• अखिलाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akhila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: After Śiva contained the poison, the devas—relieved of its burning—resume the churning; the episode highlights grace (anugraha) enabling cosmic order to continue.

Significance: Frames pilgrimage/bhakti as ‘resuming one’s sādhana’ after affliction is removed by Śiva’s grace; encourages reliance on Śiva during विष-दाह (inner/outer burning).

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Continuation of Samudra-manthana after the poison crisis is resolved

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace) as the decisive power that removes destructive suffering—symbolized by poison-burning—so beings can resume dharmic effort. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Pati (Śiva) alone can loosen pasha (bondage) and restore spiritual capacity.

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

Śiva is shown as the accessible, compassionate Lord who intervenes in the cosmos—an emphasis aligned with Saguna worship. Linga-upāsanā centers on this very refuge: the devotee approaches Śiva as protector and purifier who neutralizes inner and outer ‘poison’ through grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with bhakti, coupled with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of purification—seeking Śiva’s anugraha to burn away viṣa-like impurities such as anger, pride, and craving.