Shloka 20

Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ

Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship

Devanagari script

शेषश्च वासुकिश्चैव तक्षकश्च तथा परे । शिवभक्ता महानागा गरुडाद्याश्च पक्षिणः

Transliteration

śeṣaśca vāsukiścaiva takṣakaśca tathā pare | śivabhaktā mahānāgā garuḍādyāśca pakṣiṇaḥ

Translation

ശേഷൻ, വാസുകി, തക്ഷകൻ എന്നിവരും മറ്റു മഹാനാഗന്മാരും; കൂടാതെ ഗരുഡാദിയായ ശ്രേഷ്ഠ പക്ഷികളും—ഇവരെല്ലാം ഭഗവാൻ ശിവന്റെ ഭക്തരാണ്.

Word by Word

• शेषः: Śeṣa
• शेषः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• वासुकिः: Vāsuki
• वासुकिः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; coordinated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुकि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/also
• एव: सम्बन्ध (Emphasis particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• तक्षकः: Takṣaka
• तक्षकः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; coordinated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• तथा: also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थ (also)

• परे: others
• परे: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; coordinated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• शिव-भक्ताः: devotees of Śiva
• शिव-भक्ताः: प्रथमा-सम्बन्ध (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (devotees of Śiva)

• महा-नागाः: great nāgas (serpents)
• महा-नागाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; appositional)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (great serpents)

• गरुड-आद्याः: those beginning with Garuḍa, etc.
• गरुड-आद्याः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; coordinated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (beginning with Garuḍa)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पक्षिणः: birds
• पक्षिणः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; coordinated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Nāṭarāja

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it expands the scope of Śiva-bhakti to nāgas and even Garuḍa, suggesting cosmic reconciliation under Śiva’s sovereignty.

Significance: Symbolic teaching: enmities (nāga vs. garuḍa) are harmonized in Śiva-sevā; pilgrims cultivate śānti and non-duality of devotion.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shesha
• Vasuki
• Takshaka
• Garuda

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva-bhakti is universal: even mighty nāgas and celestial birds are counted among the Lord’s devotees, showing that devotion to Pati (Śiva) is not limited by species, status, or realm.

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

By naming renowned beings as Śiva-bhaktas, the text affirms Saguna worship—approaching Śiva as the gracious Lord who accepts praise, offerings, and pilgrimage—an outlook central to Kotirudrasaṃhitā’s Jyotirliṅga-focused devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt simple bhakti aligned with Shaiva practice: daily remembrance of Śiva with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with respectful worship (pūjā) according to one’s capacity.