Shloka 28

सूर्यरथ-रचना, ध्रुव-प्रेरणा, मास-गणाः च

Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues

Devanagari script

तक्षकश् च तथा नाग एलापत्रस् तथा द्विजाः शङ्खपालस् तथा चान्यस् त्व् ऐरावत इति स्मृतः

Transliteration

takṣakaś ca tathā nāga elāpatras tathā dvijāḥ śaṅkhapālas tathā cānyas tv airāvata iti smṛtaḥ

Translation

Takṣaka, Nāga, Elāpatra, dan para dwija; juga Śaṅkhapāla serta yang lain—di antara mereka Airāvata pun dikenang.

Word by Word

• तक्षकः: Takṣaka (a serpent-king)

• च: and

• तथा: likewise

• नागः: Nāga (a serpent-king / nāga)

• एलापत्रः: Elāpatra (a serpent-king)

• तथा: likewise

• द्विजाः: the twice-born (Brāhmaṇa/Kṣatriya/Vaiśya) / those called dvija

• शङ्खपालः: Śaṅkhapāla (a serpent-king)

• तथा: likewise

• च: and

• अन्यः: another

• तु: indeed/also

• ऐरावतः: Airāvata (a serpent-king, distinct from Indra’s elephant)

• इति: thus

• स्मृतः: remembered/recorded in tradition

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya; internal catalogue-style narration inferred)

Characters & Entities

• Takshaka
• Naga
• Elapatra
• Shankhapala
• Airavata

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By naming प्रमुख नाग-राजas, the verse situates serpent powers as guardians within Purāṇic cosmology—supporting the protective, boundary-keeping symbolism often associated with Śiva’s sacred spaces and Liṅga-sthānas.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly: it reflects Śiva-tattva as Pati—the Lord who orders and upholds all classes of beings (including nāgas and dvijas) within dharmic creation, even when the verse itself is a catalogue.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific pūjā-vidhi or Pāśupata-yoga technique is stated; the takeaway is the traditional recognition of nāga guardianship, which in practice supports protective rites (rakṣā) around Śiva shrines and Liṅga worship.