Shloka 24

Devanagari script

गार्ग्यः पृथुस्तथा वाग्मी जयो धाता कपीनकः । कपीवान्सप्तऋषयः सत्या देवगणास्तथा

Transliteration

gārgyaḥ pṛthustathā vāgmī jayo dhātā kapīnakaḥ | kapīvānsaptaṛṣayaḥ satyā devagaṇāstathā

Translation

Gārgya, Pṛthu, the eloquent Vāgmī, Jaya, Dhātā, Kapīnaka, and Kapīvān—along with the Seven Ṛṣis—likewise the Satyas and the hosts of devas were present as attendant divine groups.

Word by Word

• गार्ग्यः: Gārgya (name)
• गार्ग्यः: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गार्ग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पृथुः: Pṛthu (name)
• पृथुः: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकार-अव्यय (adverb/conj. 'also/likewise'), अव्यय

• वाग्मी: Vāgmī (eloquent one; name)
• वाग्मी: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाग्मिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जयः: Jaya (name)
• जयः: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• धाता: Dhātā (name)
• धाता: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कपीनकः: Kapīnaka (name)
• कपीनकः: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपीनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कपीवान्: Kapīvān (name)
• कपीवान्: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपीवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण of ऋषयः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक (numeral), अव्ययवत्/अव्यय-प्राय (indeclinable-like numeral used as adjective)

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सत्याः: true/virtuous
• सत्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying देवगणाः)

• देवगणाः: groups of gods
• देवगणाः: Karta (कर्ता; list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवगण (प्रातिपदिक: देव + गण)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpurusha: देवानां गणाः/देवगणाः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकार-अव्यय, अव्यय

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Umāsaṃhitā’s discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it lists sages, royal-sages, and deva-classes (Satyas) associated with a Manvantara—showing the maintenance of dharma through appointed beings.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Manvantara roster: Saptaṛṣi and deva-gaṇa configuration for a given cycle.

Characters & Entities

• Gārgya
• Pṛthu
• Vāgmī
• Jaya
• Dhātā
• Kapīnaka
• Kapīvān
• Saptaṛṣi (Seven Sages)
• Satyas
• Devagaṇas

FAQs

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

It affirms that realized ṛṣis and divine hosts align around Śiva’s sacred sphere, highlighting that proximity to Śiva is marked by truth (satya), wisdom (ṛṣi), and orderly divine service—an ideal for the bound soul (paśu) seeking liberation under Pati’s grace.

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

By listing revered sages and devagaṇas as present attendants, the verse frames Saguna Śiva worship (including Liṅga worship) as a cosmic, tradition-backed act: the same Śiva approached in the Liṅga is honored by the highest seers and divine classes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is satsanga and śravaṇa: recite Śiva’s names and texts in the company of devotees, ideally with pañcākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Śiva-upacāra (water, bilva leaves, and reverent remembrance).