Shloka 94

Devadāru (Dāruvana) Forest: The Delusion of Ritual Pride, the Liṅga Crisis, and the Teaching of Jñāna–Pāśupata Yoga

Devanagari script

स्थण्डिलेषु विचित्रेषु पर्वतानां गुहासु च / नदीनां च विविक्तेषु पुलिनेषु शुभेषु च

Transliteration

sthaṇḍileṣu vicitreṣu parvatānāṃ guhāsu ca / nadīnāṃ ca vivikteṣu pulineṣu śubheṣu ca

Translation

Auf vielfältigen, abgeschiedenen freien Plätzen, in den Höhlen der Berge und auf den glückverheißenden, einsamen Sandbänken an den Flüssen—dort soll man verweilen und Betrachtung üben.

Word by Word

• sthaṇḍileṣu: on open grounds/altars
• sthaṇḍileṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthaṇḍila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī (locative, 7th), Bahuvacana

• vicitreṣu: variegated/wondrous
• vicitreṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī, Bahuvacana; adjective to sthaṇḍileṣu

• parvatānām: of mountains
• parvatānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parvata (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (genitive, 6th), Bahuvacana

• guhāsu: in caves
• guhāsu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (fem.), Saptamī (loc., 7th), Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• nadīnām: of rivers
• nadīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nadī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (gen., 6th), Bahuvacana

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• vivikteṣu: secluded
• vivikteṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vivikta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃ/Napuṃ (contextual), Saptamī (loc., 7th), Bahuvacana; adjective to pulineṣu

• pulineṣu: on sandbanks/riverbanks
• pulineṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pulina (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī (loc., 7th), Bahuvacana

• śubheṣu: auspicious/pleasant
• śubheṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī (loc., 7th), Bahuvacana; adjective to pulineṣu

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

Speaker

Lord Kurma (Vishnu) instructing on yogic discipline and sacred places

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kurma
• Rivers (nadī)
• Mountains (parvata)

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

By emphasizing secluded, auspicious environments for contemplation, the verse supports the yogic premise that the Atman is realized inwardly through sustained dhyana, best undertaken where distractions are minimized.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights the practical limb of sadhana—choosing viveka-yukta (discerning) and vivikta (secluded) locations conducive to japa and dhyana, aligning with the Kurma Purana’s Pashupata-oriented guidance on disciplined retreat and concentration.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

Though Shiva is not named in this line, the instruction comes through Lord Kurma in a Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis framework: Vishnu teaches the yogic retreat-ethos commonly associated with Shaiva/Pashupata practice, reflecting a shared path to one Supreme reality.