Shloka 26

The Determination of the Extent of the Sacred Field and Related Matters

Kurukṣetra Māhātmya

Devanagari script

यक्षः सुचंद्रः सूर्यश्च वासुकिः शंबुकर्णकः । विद्याधरः सुकेशी च राक्षसाः स्थापिताः शुभे ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

yakṣaḥ sucaṃdraḥ sūryaśca vāsukiḥ śaṃbukarṇakaḥ | vidyādharaḥ sukeśī ca rākṣasāḥ sthāpitāḥ śubhe || 26 ||

Translation

ณ สถานอันเป็นมงคลนั้น ได้ตั้งไว้คือ ยักษ์นามสุจันทร (ผู้หนึ่งชื่อ) สูรยะ วาสุกิ ศัมพุกรรณกะ วิทยาธร และสุเกศี—เหล่ารากษสเหล่านี้ถูกจัดวางประจำการ

Word by Word

• यक्षः: a Yakṣa
• यक्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृ-समुच्चय (list item)

• सुचन्द्रः: Suchandra
• सुचन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम — ‘Suchandra’

• सूर्यः: Sūrya
• सूर्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम — ‘Sūrya’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात — ‘and’

• वासुकिः: Vāsuki
• वासुकिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुकि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम — ‘Vāsuki’

• शम्बुकर्णकः: Śambukarṇaka
• शम्बुकर्णकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्बु-कर्णक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम — ‘Śambukarṇaka’

• विद्याधरः: Vidyādhara
• विद्याधरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या-धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम/जातिवाचक — ‘Vidyādhara’

• सुकेशी: Sukeśī
• सुकेशी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-केशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम — ‘Sukeśī’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात — ‘and’

• राक्षसाः: rākṣasas
• राक्षसाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्तृ-समुच्चय — ‘rākṣasas’

• स्थापिताः: were stationed
• स्थापिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थापित (कृदन्त; √स्था/√स्थाप् + णिच् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कर्मणि — ‘were stationed’

• शुभे: O auspicious one
• शुभे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; संबोधन — ‘O auspicious one’

Speaker

Narada (narrating within a Tirtha-Mahatmya section; dialogue frame traditionally with Sanatkumara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Yaksha (Sucandra)
• Surya (as a named being here)
• Vasuki
• Shambukarnaka
• Vidyadhara
• Sukeshi
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that sacred places (tīrthas) are not random locations but are ritually and cosmically ‘established’—guarded or supported by specific classes of beings (Yakṣas, Vidyādharas, Rākṣasas) who uphold the sanctity of the site.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Indirectly, it supports Bhakti by highlighting tīrtha-mahātmyas: devotees approach an auspicious, consecrated place with faith, where the environment is portrayed as spiritually ordered—encouraging disciplined worship, pilgrimage, and reverence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly reflects ritual-structural thinking (kalpa-style organization): the idea of ‘sthāpana’ (formal appointment/installation) at an auspicious time/place (śubha), aligning with practical ritual procedure rather than grammar or astrology explicitly.