Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26

स्कन्दसरः (Skandasara) — तीर्थवर्णनम् / Description of the Skandasara Sacred Lake

Devanagari script

कृतगोपुरसत्कारं केतुना मान्यहेतुना । तस्य मध्ये विमानस्य चामरद्वितयांतरे

Transliteration

kṛtagopurasatkāraṃ ketunā mānyahetunā | tasya madhye vimānasya cāmaradvitayāṃtare

Translation

Après avoir honoré comme il se doit la porte (gopura) du pavillon divin, le drapeau servant de signe de vénération, au cœur même de ce vimāna—entre la paire de chāmaras (éventails royaux)—(il fut aperçu/placé là).

Word by Word

• कृत-गोपुर-सत्कारम्: having received honour at the gateway
• कृत-गोपुर-सत्कारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु, क्त/PPP → प्रातिपदिक) + गोपुर (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (having had the gateway-honour performed / honoured at the gate)

• केतुना: by/with a banner
• केतुना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मान्य-हेतुना: as a reason for honour
• मान्य-हेतुना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान्य (प्रातिपदिक) + हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘as a cause/reason for honour’

• तस्य: of it/of that
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• विमानस्य: of the aerial car/palace
• विमानस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चामर-द्वितय-अन्तरे: between the pair of fly-whisks
• चामर-द्वितय-अन्तरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चामर (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वितय (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरण (between/within the space of two yak-tail fans)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Ketu
• Vimana

FAQs

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

It highlights satkāra—devotional honoring of sacred space and divine presence—showing that reverence expressed through auspicious symbols (gopura, banner, royal insignia) is itself a form of bhakti that prepares the mind for grace.

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

The imagery of gopura, banner, and chamara reflects the outward, saguna mode of worship—honoring Shiva through visible, ordered ritual hospitality—supporting inner recollection of Pati (Shiva) as the indwelling Lord beyond forms.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice reverential “upacāra-bhakti”: enter the shrine with respect, offer honors (flags, lamps, fan/whisk service in spirit), and keep the mind centered—optionally repeating the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while visualizing oneself in the ‘middle’ of Shiva’s presence.