Shloka 51

Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya

Devanagari script

स्छ्लरफ़्फ़ेन्लन्द् क्षीरधारासहस्रं च क्षीरोदार्णवमेव च दध्यादेरर्णवं चैव घृतोदार्णवमेव च

Transliteration

Schlaraffenland kṣīradhārāsahasraṃ ca kṣīrodārṇavameva ca dadhyāderarṇavaṃ caiva ghṛtodārṇavameva ca

Translation

There are thousands of streaming currents of milk, and indeed an ocean of milk as well—an ocean of curd (dadhi) and the like, and likewise an ocean of ghee (ghṛta). Thus the realm is portrayed as overflowing with auspicious sacrificial substances that sustain purity and worship of the Pati (Lord Shiva).

Word by Word

• kṣīra: milk

• dhārā: stream/flow

• sahasram: a thousand (many)

• ca: and

• kṣīra-udaka-arṇavaḥ: ocean of milk

• eva: indeed/only

• dadhy-ādeḥ: of curd and similar (milk-products)

• arṇavaḥ: ocean

• caiva: and also

• ghṛta: ghee/clarified butter

• udaka-arṇavaḥ: ocean (lit. watery ocean) of

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes purity and auspiciousness through kṣīra (milk), dadhi (curd), and ghṛta (ghee)—key substances in Vedic offerings and abhiṣeka—implying that Shiva’s domain supports sattvic worship and consecration of the Linga.

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

By depicting inexhaustible oceans of sanctifying substances, it points to Pati as the inexhaustible source of grace and purity—Shiva-tattva as the ground of auspiciousness that nourishes and liberates the paśu (soul) from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it aligns with abhiṣeka and homa materials (milk, curd, ghee). Yogically, it supports the Pāśupata ideal of inner purification (śuddhi) as a prerequisite for devotion to Pati.