Shloka 42

Adhyaya 49: जम्बूद्वीप-मेर्वादि-वर्षपर्वत-वन-सरः-रुद्रक्षेत्र-वर्णनम्

Devanagari script

विकरो मणिशैलश् च वृक्षवांश्चाचलोत्तमः महानीलो ऽथ रुचकः सबिन्दुर्दर्दुरस् तथा

Transliteration

vikaro maṇiśailaś ca vṛkṣavāṃścācalottamaḥ mahānīlo 'tha rucakaḥ sabindurdarduras tathā

Translation

He is Vikara, who reveals the modes of transformation; Maṇiśaila, a refuge like a jeweled mountain; Vṛkṣavān, the Lord abiding in and as the sacred groves; Acalottama, the supreme Unmoving Reality. He is Mahānīla, the Great Dark-Blue One; Rucaka, radiant splendor; Sabindu, endowed with the Bindu, the seed-point from which manifestation proceeds; and Dardura, the steadfast, immovable support.

Word by Word

• विकरः: the transformer, the one of manifold modifications

• मणिशैलः: jeweled mountain, gem-like peak (firm refuge)

• वृक्षवान्: possessed of trees, abiding in sacred trees/groves

• अचलोत्तमः: the सर्वोत्तम (supreme) among the unmoving, the highest immovable

• महानीलः: great dark-blue one

• रुचकः: radiant, shining, pleasing splendor

• सबिन्दुः: with bindu (seed-point), containing the subtle source

• दर्दुरः: firm/steadfast support, immovable foundation

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse functions as a Sahasranama-style praise where Shiva is invoked as the immovable refuge (Acalottama) and the subtle source (Sabindu); such name-recitation is a direct limb of Linga-puja, aligning the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Lord) and loosening pasha (bondage).

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

Shiva is presented both as transcendent stability (the supreme Unmoving) and as immanent power of manifestation (Vikara, Sabindu), indicating the Lord as the ground of being who remains unchanged while enabling all change.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nama-japa (recitation of Shiva’s names) and dhyāna on Acalottama—meditating on Shiva as the unmoving support—are implied, a core contemplative method consistent with Pashupata-oriented stabilization of mind and devotion to the Linga.