Shloka 20

Manu’s Progeny and the Birth of Iḍā

Genealogy and Dharma-Choice

Devanagari script

इक्ष्वाकुः श्रेष्ठदायादो मध्यदेशमवाप्तवान् । वसिष्ठवचनादासीत्प्रतिष्ठानं महात्मनः

Transliteration

ikṣvākuḥ śreṣṭhadāyādo madhyadeśamavāptavān | vasiṣṭhavacanādāsītpratiṣṭhānaṃ mahātmanaḥ

Translation

Ikṣvāku, the foremost heir, attained the land of Madhyadeśa; and by the instruction of Vasiṣṭha, the great-souled one established his firm seat of rule (Pratiṣṭhāna).

Word by Word

• ikṣvākuḥ: Ikṣvāku
• ikṣvākuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣvāku (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• śreṣṭha-dāyādaḥ: the best heir
• śreṣṭha-dāyādaḥ: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक) + dāyāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (विशेषण-विशेष्य: 'श्रेष्ठः दायादः'); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• madhya-deśam: the middle country (Madhyadeśa)
• madhya-deśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhya (प्रातिपदिक) + deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya ('मध्यः देśः'); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• avāptavān: obtained/attained
• avāptavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-āp (धातु)
• Form: Past active participle (क्तवत्/ktavat); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• vasiṣṭha-vacanāt: because of Vasiṣṭha's word/command
• vasiṣṭha-vacanāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक) + vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'वसिष्ठस्य वचनम्'); Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular (एकवचन)

• āsīt: was
• āsīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्/laṅ), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• pratiṣṭhānam: Pratiṣṭhāna (capital/seat)
• pratiṣṭhānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratiṣṭhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled (one)
• mahātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakshinamurti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Ikshvaku
• Vasistha

FAQs

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

It highlights that rightful stability (pratiṣṭhāna) in life and rule arises through dharma guided by a realized guru—an outer reflection of inner steadiness needed for devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

Though not explicitly about Linga worship, it supports the Shaiva principle that devotion becomes fruitful when grounded in disciplined conduct and guidance; such ‘pratiṣṭhāna’ prepares one for steady Saguna Shiva-upāsanā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is guru-vākya-anusaraṇa—following the teacher’s instruction with steadiness; as a Shaiva takeaway, maintain daily japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a stable routine and disciplined conduct.