Shloka 21

Devanagari script

क्षेमधन्वसुतस्त्वासीद्देवानीकः प्रतापवान् । आसीदहीनगुर्नाम देवानीकात्मजः प्रभुः

Transliteration

kṣemadhanvasutastvāsīddevānīkaḥ pratāpavān | āsīdahīnagurnāma devānīkātmajaḥ prabhuḥ

Translation

The valiant Devānīka, radiant in prowess, was the son of Kṣemadhanvan. And Devānīka’s son was the lordly one named Ahīnagu.

Word by Word

• kṣemadhanva-sutaḥ: son of Kṣemadhanvan
• kṣemadhanva-sutaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣemadhanvan (प्रातिपदिक) + suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (kṣemadhanvanaḥ sutaḥ = son of Kṣemadhanvan)

• tu: indeed / but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/contrast marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (विरोध/विशेषार्थक अव्यय)

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

• devānīkaḥ: Devānīka
• devānīkaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devānīka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); proper name

• pratāpavān: powerful / illustrious
• pratāpavān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + -vant (मतुप्)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

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

• ahīnaguruḥ: Ahīnaguru
• ahīnaguruḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahīnaguru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); proper name

• nāma: named
• nāma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (नाम-शब्दः; नामनिर्देशार्थक अव्यय)

• devānīka-ātmajaḥ: son of Devānīka
• devānīka-ātmajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devānīka (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (devānīkasya ātmajaḥ = son of Devānīka)

• prabhuḥ: lord / master
• prabhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Devānīka
• Kṣemadhanvan
• Ahīnagu

FAQs

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

This verse preserves sacred lineage-history within the Uma Saṃhitā, emphasizing that dharma and devotion to Pati (Śiva) are carried through generations; noble qualities like pratāpa (spiritual-heroic vigor) support the pursuit of Śiva’s grace and liberation.

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

Though the verse is genealogical, it functions as narrative scaffolding for later Shaiva teachings: the Shiva Purana often situates Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship within the lives of specific lineages, showing how rulers and progeny uphold vows, temples, and Śiva-dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this line; the practical takeaway is to sustain one’s spiritual inheritance through daily Shaiva discipline—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady dharmic conduct—so devotion continues across generations.