Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8

मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence

Tapas-abode

Devanagari script

मेखलाभूमयस्तस्य विमलोपलपादपाः । शिवयोर्नित्यसान्निध्यान्न्यक्कुर्वंत्यखिलंजगत्

Transliteration

mekhalābhūmayastasya vimalopalapādapāḥ | śivayornityasānnidhyānnyakkurvaṃtyakhilaṃjagat

Translation

وشُرَفُهُ المُحِيطَةُ وخُطاهُ الحجريةُ النقيّةُ، ببركة القُرب الدائم لِشِيفا وديفي، تُظهِرُ العالمَ كلَّه كأنّه مُتَضَاءِلٌ، مبهوتًا أمام تلك المهابة الإلهية.

Word by Word

• मेखला-भूमयः: the belt-like terraces/grounds
• मेखला-भूमयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेखला (प्रातिपदिक) + भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (मेखलायाः भूमयः = terrace-bands/encircling grounds); स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• तस्य: of it/of that (mountain)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (सम्बन्ध), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• विमल-उपल-पादपाः: the trees with spotless stones/rocks
• विमल-उपल-पादपाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमल (प्रातिपदिक) + उपल (प्रातिपदिक) + पादप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (विमलाः उपलाः यस्य/येषां ते पादपाः—stone/rocky trees; or ‘trees with pure stones’); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• शिवयोः: of Śiva and (the Goddess)
• शिवयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (सम्बन्ध), द्विवचनम्

• नित्य-सान्निध्यात्: because of the constant presence
• नित्य-सान्निध्यात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सान्निध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (नित्यं सान्निध्यम्); नपुंसकलिङ्गे, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (अपादान/हेतु), एकवचनम्

• न्यक्कुर्वन्ति: humble/make insignificant
• न्यक्कुर्वन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अङ् + कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), प्रथम-पुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्; धातुः कृ (करणे) उपसर्गः ‘नि’ + अव्ययभावः ‘न्यक्’ (to make low/humble)

• अखिलम्: entire
• अखिलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (जगत् इत्यस्य)

• जगत्: world
• जगत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse intensifies kṣetra-māhātmya: architectural-natural features (terraces, pure stone steps) become cosmically superior because of the couple’s ‘nitya-sānnidhya’ (perpetual presence), a hallmark of a living tīrtha where grace is continuous.

Significance: Promises an experiential ‘world-diminishing’ awe: entering such a kṣetra relativizes worldly attachments (pāśa) and turns the mind toward the Lord’s supremacy.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It teaches that where Śiva and Devī are in constant presence, worldly greatness loses its hold; the soul’s ego and worldly scale are eclipsed by the Pati–Śakti reality, inspiring humility and devotion.

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

The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—Śiva together with Devī—as a living, approachable divine presence. In temple practice, this is mirrored by the Liṅga as the seat of Śiva’s abiding presence, before which worldly concerns feel small.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice daily smaraṇa (remembrance) of Śiva–Śakti and japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to cultivate the sense of nitya-sannidhya, letting worldly pride and agitation subside.