Shloka 15

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

विस्तारान्मण्डलाच्चैव पादहीनस्तयोर्बुधः तारानक्षत्ररूपाणि वपुष्मन्तीह यानि वै

Transliteration

vistārānmaṇḍalāccaiva pādahīnastayorbudhaḥ tārānakṣatrarūpāṇi vapuṣmantīha yāni vai

Translation

Nach Ausdehnung und nach dem himmlischen Kreis (Maṇḍala) selbst wird Budha (Merkur) als um ein Viertel (pāda) geringer im Vergleich zu jenen Maßen beschrieben; und hier werden wahrlich auch die leibhaften Gestalten genannt, die als Sterne und Sternbilder erscheinen.

Word by Word

• विस्तारात्: from the expanse/extent

• मण्डलात्: from the circle/orb (celestial sphere)

• च एव: and indeed

• पाद-हीनः: lacking a quarter (one pāda less)

• तयोः: of those two (measures/standards mentioned)

• बुधः: Budha, Mercury

• तारा: stars

• नक्षत्र: lunar mansions/constellations

• रूपाणि: forms

• वपुष्मन्ति: possessing bodies/embodied

• इह: here (in this cosmos/teaching)

• यानि: which

• वै: indeed/assuredly

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Budha

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By describing the ordered measures of the celestial maṇḍala and the embodied star-forms, the verse supports a key Shaiva view: the universe is a regulated manifestation under Pati (Shiva). Linga worship aligns the pashu (individual soul) with that cosmic order, reducing pasha (bondage) through right contemplation and ritual focus.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though Shiva is not named directly, the teaching implies Shiva-tattva as the supreme regulator behind measurable cosmic structures—grahas, stars, and nakṣatras—whose patterned manifestation reflects intelligent governance. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, the world is real and ordered, yet ultimately dependent on Pati’s sovereignty.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to dhyāna on cosmic order (graha–nakṣatra–maṇḍala) as a support for Pāśupata-oriented discipline: using contemplation of structured creation to cultivate viveka and vairāgya, thereby weakening pasha while remaining devoted to Shiva as the inner ruler.