Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 14

Devanagari script

स गोप्ता धर्मसेतूनां शास्ता दुष्पथगामिनाम् । यष्टा समस्तयज्ञानां त्राता शरणमिच्छताम्

Transliteration

sa goptā dharmasetūnāṃ śāstā duṣpathagāminām | yaṣṭā samastayajñānāṃ trātā śaraṇamicchatām

Translation

He was the guardian of the bridges of dharma, the chastiser of those who walk evil paths, the patron who caused all sacrifices (yajñas) to be performed, and the protector of those who sought refuge.

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• गोप्ता: protector
• गोप्ता: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोप्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; √गुप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक-नाम (protector)

• धर्मसेतूनाम्: of the boundaries/bridges of dharma
• धर्मसेतूनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + सेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘धर्मस्य सेतवः’ (boundaries/bridges of dharma)

• शास्ता: ruler/disciplinarian
• शास्ता: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; √शास्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक-नाम (ruler/disciplinarian)

• दुष्पथगामिनाम्: of those who follow evil paths
• दुष्पथगामिनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्पथ + गामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘दुष्पथे गच्छन्ति ये’ (those who go on bad paths)

• यष्टा: performer of sacrifices
• यष्टा: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यष्टृ (प्रातिपदिक; √यज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक-नाम (sacrificer/performer of yajñas)

• समस्तयज्ञानाम्: of all sacrifices
• समस्तयज्ञानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समस्त + यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘समस्ताः यज्ञाः’ (all sacrifices)

• त्राता: savior
• त्राता: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक; √त्रा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक-नाम (savior)

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘शरणम्’ (refuge)

• इच्छताम्: of those who seek/desire
• इच्छताम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष्/इच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; ‘इच्छन्ति ये’ (of those who desire)

Speaker

Unknown (narrative voice within Brahmottarakhaṇḍa; likely the main narrator)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: The king stands as guardian at a symbolic 'bridge of dharma'—a causeway leading to a yajña-śālā and a refuge-house; on one side wrongdoers are restrained, on the other supplicants are sheltered; sacrificial fires blaze in the background.

Characters & Entities

• Citravarman (implied)

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Dharma is upheld through protection, righteous discipline, support of sacred rites, and compassion toward those seeking refuge.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No tīrtha is named; the verse praises dharmic kingship rather than a location.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

Support and performance of yajñas (sacrifices) as part of sustaining social and cosmic order.