Shloka 4

Śivakṣetra–Tīrtha–Māhātmya

The Salvific Function of Shiva’s Sacred Domains

Devanagari script

परिग्रहादृषीणां च देवानां परिग्रहात् । स्वयंभूतान्यथान्यानि लोकरक्षार्थमेव हि

Transliteration

parigrahādṛṣīṇāṃ ca devānāṃ parigrahāt | svayaṃbhūtānyathānyāni lokarakṣārthameva hi

Translation

Indeed, through the endowments granted to the ṛṣis and the prerogatives bestowed upon the gods, various provisions arise—of themselves and by other appointed means—solely for the protection and maintenance of the worlds.

Word by Word

• परिग्रहात्: from (their) acceptance/receiving
• परिग्रहात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन (Abl. sg.)

• ऋषीणाम्: of the sages
• ऋषीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चयबोधक conjunction)

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• परिग्रहात्: from (their) acceptance
• परिग्रहात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन (Abl. sg.)

• स्वयंभूतानि: self-manifest (ones/things)
• स्वयंभूतानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वयंभूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Nom./Acc. pl.); बहुव्रीहिः (‘स्वयम् भूता’ = self-manifest)

• अथ: then/and also
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (अनन्तर/क्रमसूचक particle)

• अन्यानि: other (ones)
• अन्यानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Nom./Acc. pl.)

• लोकरक्षार्थम्: for the protection of the world
• लोकरक्षार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + रक्षा + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Acc. sg.); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (लोकस्य रक्षा) + तत्पुरुष (तस्य अर्थः) = ‘for the purpose of protecting the world’

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (अवधारण particle: emphasis)

• हि: for/indeed
• हि: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (हेतु/निश्चयबोधक particle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Explains the plurality of sacred manifestations as arising through allotted roles (‘parigraha’) of ṛṣis and devas, including svayaṃbhū (self-manifest) instances—an interpretive frame for why some liṅgas are self-arisen and others installed/regulated by divine/ṛṣi agency.

Significance: Legitimizes multiple modes of sacred presence (self-manifest and appointed), encouraging reverence for both ancient svayaṃbhū shrines and ritually established temples as instruments of lokarakṣā.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Rishis
• Devas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that cosmic welfare (loka-raksha) is not accidental: the sages’ tapas and the gods’ ordained functions operate as instruments within Shiva’s overarching order, sustaining dharma and protecting creation.

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

In Shaiva understanding, Saguna Shiva (worshipped as the Linga) is the Lord who empowers the devas and rishis to carry out protection and governance; devotion to the Linga aligns the devotee with that sustaining divine order.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to support loka-raksha through daily Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and dharmic conduct; offering water to the Shiva Linga with the intention of universal welfare mirrors the verse’s emphasis on protection of the worlds.