Shloka 26
Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā
The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography
नाधयो व्याधयो वापि जनानां तत्र कुत्रचित् । दश वर्षसहस्राणि तत्र जीवंति मानवाः
nādhayo vyādhayo vāpi janānāṃ tatra kutracit | daśa varṣasahasrāṇi tatra jīvaṃti mānavāḥ
তাত জনসকলৰ ক’তো আদি নাই, ব্যাধিও নাই। সেই স্থানত মানুহে দহ সহস্ৰ বছৰ পৰ্যন্ত জীৱন ধাৰে।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Uma Samhita’s discourse)
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: The verse describes a supra-normal sacred realm/region where Śiva’s grace removes duḥkha (ādhi) and roga (vyādhi) and extends lifespan; it is not framed as a specific Jyotirliṅga-māhātmya episode.
Significance: Darśana/association with Śiva’s sacred domain is portrayed as producing freedom from afflictions and a longevity-like ‘divine health’ (ārogya) as a sign of reduced pāśa (bondage).
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: A ‘yuga-transcending’ sacred geography is implied by extraordinary longevity and absence of disease (a dhārmic-time condition rather than an astronomical event).
FAQs
It portrays Shiva’s anugraha (grace) as a state where both inner affliction (ādhi) and bodily disease (vyādhi) cease—symbolizing the Shaiva Siddhanta ideal of release from pasha (bondage) and the suffering that arises from it.
The Linga signifies Shiva as Pati (the Lord) who removes bondage and grants well-being; devotion to Saguna Shiva is presented as a concrete path by which devotees attain protection, harmony, and an elevated mode of existence described as free from disease and sorrow.
A practical takeaway is steady Shiva-upasana—daily Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with purity of conduct; where traditional practice applies, Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha are used as aids for discipline and remembrance of Shiva.