Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 146

पञ्चावरणमार्गस्थं योगेश्वरस्तोत्रम्

Pañcāvaraṇa-mārga Stotra to Yogeśvara Śiva

Devanagari script

क्षेत्रपालो महातेजा नील जीमूतसन्निभः । दंष्ट्राकरालवदनः स्फुरद्रक्ताधरोज्ज्वलः

Transliteration

kṣetrapālo mahātejā nīla jīmūtasannibhaḥ | daṃṣṭrākarālavadanaḥ sphuradraktādharojjvalaḥ

Translation

மிகுந்த தேஜஸுடன் க்ஷேத்ரபாலன் கருநீல மழைமேகக் கூட்டம்போல் தோன்றினான்; நீண்ட பற்களால் அச்சமூட்டும் முகமும், மின்னும் செம்பட்ட உதடுகளும் ஒளிர்ந்தன।

Word by Word

• kṣetra-pālaḥ: the guardian of the sacred place
• kṣetra-pālaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣetra (प्रातिपदिक) + pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष—‘kṣetrasya pālaḥ’

• mahā-tejāḥ: of great splendor
• mahā-tejāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; कर्मधारय—‘mahac ca tat tejaḥ’ (very radiant)

• nīlaḥ: blue/dark
• nīlaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• jīmūta-sannibhaḥ: resembling a cloud
• jīmūta-sannibhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jīmūta (प्रातिपदिक) + sannibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुष—‘jīmūtasya iva sannibhaḥ’ (cloud-like)

• daṃṣṭrā-karāla-vadanaḥ: having a fearsome, fang-filled face
• daṃṣṭrā-karāla-vadanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daṃṣṭrā (प्रातिपदिक) + karāla (प्रातिपदिक) + vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय—‘daṃṣṭrābhiḥ karālaṃ vadanaṃ yasya’ (face terrible with fangs)

• sphurat-rakta-adhara-ujjvalaḥ: bright with shining red lips
• sphurat-rakta-adhara-ujjvalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphurat (कृदन्त; √sphur धातु) + rakta (प्रातिपदिक) + adhara (प्रातिपदिक) + ujjvala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त ‘sphurat’ (shining) + कर्मधारयसमास—‘raktādharaḥ’ (red lips) + ‘ujjvala’ (bright)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Kshetrapala

FAQs

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

It portrays Kṣetrapāla as Shiva’s fierce, protective power guarding the sacred kṣetra—reminding devotees that holy space is preserved by divine authority and approached with reverence, purity, and surrender.

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

Kṣetrapāla is connected with Saguna Shiva’s protective aspect around the linga and temple precincts—showing that devotion includes honoring the guardianship that preserves the sanctity of Shiva’s abode.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Approach the shrine with disciplined conduct and protective remembrance—mentally recite the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintain purity before entering the kṣetra, honoring the guardian principle of Shiva.