Shloka 25

Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana

Churning of the Milk Ocean

Devanagari script

पारिजातं तरुवरमैरावतमिभेश्वरम् । शचीपतिश्च जग्राह निर्जरेशो महादरात

Transliteration

pārijātaṃ taruvaramairāvatamibheśvaram | śacīpatiśca jagrāha nirjareśo mahādarāta

Translation

Then Indra, lord of the gods and consort of Śacī, with profound reverence took possession of the supreme Pārijāta tree and of Airāvata, king of elephants, honoring the divine order.

Word by Word

• पारिजातम्: the Pārijāta tree
• पारिजातम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पारिजात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन

• तरु-वरम्: the best of trees
• तरु-वरम्: कर्म (Object; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरु (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; पारिजातस्य विशेषण-रूपेण

• ऐरावतम्: Airāvata (Indra’s elephant)
• ऐरावतम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐरावत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन

• इभ-ईश्वरम्: lord of elephants
• इभ-ईश्वरम्: कर्म (Object; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इभ (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया; एकवचन; ऐरावतस्य विशेषण-रूपेण

• शची-पतिः: husband of Śacī (Indra)
• शची-पतिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शची (प्रातिपदिक) + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• जग्राह: took, seized
• जग्राह: क्रिया (Verb; action of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन

• निर्जर-ईशः: lord of the gods
• निर्जर-ईशः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्जर (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा; एकवचन; शचीपतिः इत्यस्य विशेषण/अप्पोज़िशन

• महा-दरात्: out of great fear
• महा-दरात्: अपादान/हेतु (Ablative of cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + दर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative); एकवचन; हेतौ/कारणे (cause)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; this is within the samudra-manthana distribution of divine assets, where Indra receives the Pārijāta and Airāvata as part of the restored deva-order.

Significance: Didactic: reinforces dharmic allotment and hierarchical stewardship under Īśvara’s ordinance; encourages humility even in celestial power.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Aftermath of samudra-manthana: apportionment/acceptance of divine treasures (Pārijāta, Airāvata) under cosmic order.

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Shachi
• Airavata
• Parijata

FAQs

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

It underscores that even Indra, ruler of the devas, receives celestial splendors only through reverent alignment with dharma and the higher divine governance—an implicit reminder that all lordship is subordinate to the Supreme (Pati) celebrated in Shaiva teaching.

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

Though not directly about the Liṅga, the verse supports a Shaiva Siddhanta reading: devas and their powers are dependent realities, while Saguna Shiva is the true Lord who dispenses grace and order; worship of the Liṅga trains the devotee in the same reverence (ādara) shown here.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is ādara-bhāva (reverent devotion): approach Shiva-pūjā with humility—apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and recite the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with respectful surrender rather than entitlement.