Shloka 31

Satyavrata, Vasiṣṭha, and the Crisis of Dharma: Protection, Anger, and Vow-Discipline

Devanagari script

एते पंच गणा राजन्हैहयार्थेषु रक्षसाम् । कृत्वा पराक्रमान् बाहो राज्यं तेभ्यो ददुर्बलात्

Transliteration

ete paṃca gaṇā rājanhaihayārtheṣu rakṣasām | kṛtvā parākramān bāho rājyaṃ tebhyo dadurbalāt

Translation

O King, these five—gaṇas, attendants of Lord Śiva—displayed their valor on behalf of the Haihayas against the Rākṣasas; and the Rākṣasas, overpowered, were compelled to hand over their kingdom to them.

Word by Word

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याविशेषण; (here) पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनस्य विशेषणम्

• गणाः: groups, troops
• गणाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• हैहयार्थेषु: in the interests/purposes of the Haihayas
• हैहयार्थेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हैहय + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative): हैहयानाम् अर्थाः; पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• रक्षसाम्: of the demons (rakṣasas)
• रक्षसाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (रक्षस्), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया/Non-finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• पराक्रमान्: acts of valor, exploits
• पराक्रमान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पराक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• बाहो: O Bāhu
• बाहो: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• राज्यम्: kingdom
• राज्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तेभ्यः: to them
• तेभ्यः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), बहुवचन

• ददुः: they gave
• ददुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• बलात्: by force, forcibly
• बलात्: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त), कारण/हेतु-अर्थे (ablatival adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Gaṇas)
• Haihayas
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Shiva’s śakti working through his gaṇas to protect dharma: when beings align with righteous purpose, divine agency removes obstacles and restores rightful order.

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

It reflects Saguna Shiva’s protective aspect—Shiva is not only the transcendent Pati but also the immanent Lord whose gaṇas act in the world, encouraging devotees to take refuge in his tangible, worshipful presence such as the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with simple Shiva-upāsanā such as applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and remembering Shiva as the protector of dharma.