Shloka 46

Devanagari script

ऐलापुत्रस्तथा पद्मः कर्कोटकधनंजयौ । महानीलमहाकर्णौ धृतराष्ट्रो बलाहकः

Transliteration

ailāputrastathā padmaḥ karkoṭakadhanaṃjayau | mahānīlamahākarṇau dhṛtarāṣṭro balāhakaḥ

Translation

Ailāputra and Padma; Karkoṭaka and Dhanañjaya; Mahānīla and Mahākarṇa; and also Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Balāhaka—these are the named serpents, renowned in the sacred account.

Word by Word

• ऐलापुत्रः: Ailāputra (son of Ilā; proper name)
• ऐलापुत्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐला + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ऐलायाः/ऐलस्य पुत्रः)

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चयवाचक-अव्यय (indeclinable: 'thus/also')

• पद्मः: Padma (proper name)
• पद्मः: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कर्कोटकधनंजयौ: Karkoṭaka and Dhanaṃjaya
• कर्कोटकधनंजयौ: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्कोटक + धनंजय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (कर्कोटकः च धनंजयः च)

• महानीलमहाकर्णौ: Mahānīla and Mahākarṇa
• महानीलमहाकर्णौ: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महानील + महाकर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (महानीलः च महाकर्णः च)

• धृतराष्ट्रः: Dhṛtarāṣṭra (proper name)
• धृतराष्ट्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृत + राष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद/कर्मधारय-प्रायः नाम (धृतं राष्ट्रं येन/धृत-राष्ट्रः)

• बलाहकः: Balāhaka (proper name)
• बलाहकः: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलाहक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Nagas
• Ailaputra
• Padma
• Karkotaka
• Dhananjaya
• Mahanila
• Mahakarna
• Dhritarashtra
• Balahaka

FAQs

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

By naming the Nāgas, the text situates all powerful beings—whether celestial, serpentine, or earthly—within Shiva’s cosmic order, implying that every class of life is ultimately under Pati (Lord Shiva), the supreme Lord who governs and liberates.

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

Even when the verse is a catalogue of beings, it supports Saguna Shiva devotion by showing that distinct forms and hosts in creation are acknowledged and harmonized under Shiva’s sovereignty—an outlook that culminates in Linga worship as the unifying sacred focus.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is protective japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—remembering Shiva as the Lord beyond fear and poison, along with simple Shaiva observances like vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and devotional remembrance.