Shloka 40

यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean

Devanagari script

इत्थं स वर्णितः शम्भोरवतारः सुखावहः । यक्षेश्वराख्यस्सुखदस्सतान्तुष्टोऽभयंकरः

Transliteration

itthaṃ sa varṇitaḥ śambhoravatāraḥ sukhāvahaḥ | yakṣeśvarākhyassukhadassatāntuṣṭo'bhayaṃkaraḥ

Translation

如是已述说吉祥的商婆（Śambhu）化身，能带来安乐、赐予喜悦。祂名为夜叉主（Yakṣeśvara），施与欢喜，恒悦于有德之人，并赐无畏。

Word by Word

• इत्थम्: thus
• इत्थम्: Manner (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (thus/in this manner)

• सः: he/that
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वर्णितः: described
• वर्णितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्ण् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त (Past Passive Participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि (described)

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• अवतारः: incarnation/descent
• अवतारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुखावहः: bringing happiness
• सुखावहः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख-आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (सुखम् आवहति इति)

• यक्षेश्वराख्यः: named ‘Yakṣeśvara’
• यक्षेश्वराख्यः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यक्ष-ईश्वर-आख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यक्षेश्वर इति आख्यः = named ‘Yakṣeśvara’)

• सुखदः: giver of happiness
• सुखदः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख-द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (सुखं ददाति इति)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Time (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (always)

• अन्तुष्टः: fully pleased
• अन्तुष्टः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-तुष् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त (Past Passive Participle) विशेषणरूपेण; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (well-pleased/satisfied)

• अभयङ्करः: maker of fearlessness
• अभयङ्करः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभय-कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (अभयं करोति इति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Concluding phala-śruti style summary of the Yakṣeśvara-avatāra: Śiva descends, grants sukha and abhaya, and remains pleased with the virtuous (sat).

Significance: Hearing/reciting the avatāra account cultivates fearlessness (abhaya) and steadiness in dharma; aligns the devotee with Śiva’s protective grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Śambhu)
• Yakṣa (as Yakṣeśvara epithet)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Śiva’s compassionate Saguna descent as a source of sukha (inner well-being) and abhayā (fearlessness), showing that divine grace removes anxiety and stabilizes the devotee in dharma.

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

By praising Śambhu’s avatāra as ‘Yakṣeśvara’ and ‘Abhayaṃkara,’ it supports Saguna worship—devotees approach Śiva through a revered form (including the Liṅga) to receive protection, peace, and spiritual assurance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to worship Śiva as Abhayaṃkara with the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and simple Liṅga-pūjā, praying for fearlessness and steadiness in righteous living.