Shloka 32

Devanagari script

एत इक्ष्वाकुवंशीया अतीताः संप्रकीर्तिताः । शृणु तानागतान्भूतांस्तद्वंश्यान्धर्मवित्तमान्

Transliteration

eta ikṣvākuvaṃśīyā atītāḥ saṃprakīrtitāḥ | śṛṇu tānāgatānbhūtāṃstadvaṃśyāndharmavittamān

Translation

Thus, the kings of the Ikṣvāku lineage of the past have been duly recounted. Now listen to those who are to come—those born in that same dynasty—knowers of dharma.

Word by Word

एतेthese

इक्ष्वाकुवंशीयाof the Ikṣvāku dynasty

अतीताःgone/past

संप्रकीर्तिताःhave been fully recounted

शृणुhear/listen

तान्those

आगतान्who have come/arrived (future ones)

भूतान्who have been/that will be

तद्वंश्यान्descendants of that line

धर्मवित्तमान्excellent knowers of dharma

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

Ikshvaku

FAQs

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

The verse frames history as a dharmic continuum: past exemplars are remembered, and future rulers are evaluated by their alignment with dharma—an essential Shaiva ethical foundation for living in harmony with Pati (Shiva’s lordship) through right conduct.

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

Though not naming the Liṅga directly, the Purana’s narrative method supports Saguna Shiva worship by presenting dharmic kings as protectors of Shiva’s order (śiva-dharma), implying that social righteousness and devotion to Shiva’s forms mutually sustain one another.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and remembrance of dharmic exemplars; traditionally this is paired with Shiva-nāma japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to internalize dharma as a lived discipline.