Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14

दक्षयज्ञे मुनिदेवसमागमः / The Gathering of Sages and Gods at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

तथैव सर्वदिक्पाला द्वारपालाश्च रक्षकाः । सायुधास्सपरीवाराः कुतूहलकरास्सदा

Transliteration

tathaiva sarvadikpālā dvārapālāśca rakṣakāḥ | sāyudhāssaparīvārāḥ kutūhalakarāssadā

Translation

また同様に、あらゆる方位の守護神（ディクパーラ）、門衛、護衛たちが—武器を携え、従者を伴って—常に居並び、絶えず畏敬と驚嘆の念を呼び起こしていた。

Word by Word

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus/in the same way)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (indeed/just)

• सर्व-दिक्-पालाः: all the guardians of the directions
• सर्व-दिक्-पालाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दिक् (प्रातिपदिक) + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन; समासः: दिशां पालाः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• द्वार-पालाः: door-guards
• द्वार-पालाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक) + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: द्वारस्य पालाः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• रक्षकाः: protectors/guards
• रक्षकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• स-आयुधाः: armed
• स-आयुधाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय-उपसर्गवत्) + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभावः: आयुधैः सह = ‘armed’

• स-परिवाराः: with their retinues
• स-परिवाराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय-उपसर्गवत्) + परिवार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभावः: परिवारैः सह = ‘with retinues’

• कुतूहल-कराः: causing curiosity/excitement
• कुतूहल-कराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुतूहल (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः: कुतूहलं कुर्वन्ति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारयार्थ)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (always)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The armed dikpālas and gate-guardians emphasize the fortified, exclusivist grandeur of Dakṣa’s yajña—symbolically mirroring the ‘closed gate’ of ego and ritual pride that conceals Śiva (tirodhāna) from recognition.

Significance: Teaches vigilance: external guardianship cannot protect a rite from inner adharma (avajñā of Śiva).

Characters & Entities

• Dikpalas
• Dvarapalas

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the sanctity of Shiva’s sacred sphere: the ordered presence of guardians symbolizes dharma, purity, and reverent awe that prepares the seeker’s mind for devotion and grace (anugraha).

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

In Saguna worship, Shiva’s realm is approached through sacred order—guardians, gatekeepers, and attendants—reflecting that entry into Linga-centered sanctity requires humility, discipline, and devotional readiness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests approaching Shiva’s worship-space with protective purity: mentally “guarding the gates” of the senses, and entering with mantra-japa (especially Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a composed, reverent mind.