Shloka 32

सूर्यरथ-रचना, ध्रुव-प्रेरणा, मास-गणाः च

Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues

Devanagari script

शुभानना शुभश्रोणिर् दिव्या वै पुञ्जिकस्थला मेनका सहजन्या च प्रम्लोचाथ शुचिस्मिता

Transliteration

śubhānanā śubhaśroṇir divyā vai puñjikasthalā menakā sahajanyā ca pramlocātha śucismitā

Translation

Fair-faced Śubhānanā, the graceful-hipped Śubhaśroṇī, the radiant Divyā, Puñjikasthalā, Menakā, Sahajanyā, Pramlocā, and Śucismitā—these renowned celestial nymphs are spoken of in the sacred account. Their appearance within the world-story becomes an instrument in Īśvara’s governance of the paśus bound by the pāśa.

Word by Word

• शुभानना: Śubhānanā (the fair-faced one)

• शुभश्रोणिः: Śubhaśroṇī (she of beautiful hips/waist)

• दिव्या: Divyā (the radiant/celestial one)

• वै: indeed

• पुञ्जिकस्थला: Puñjikasthalā (name of an apsarā)

• मेनका: Menakā (name of an apsarā)

• सहजन्या: Sahajanyā (name of an apsarā)

• च: and

• प्रम्लोचा: Pramlocā (name of an apsarā)

• अथ: then/also

• शुचिस्मिता: Śucismitā (she of pure/bright smile)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Śubhānanā
• Śubhaśroṇī
• Divyā
• Puñjikasthalā
• Menakā
• Sahajanyā
• Pramlocā
• Śucismitā

FAQs

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

By listing apsarās, the verse signals how worldly allure can function as pāśa (bondage) for the pashu; Linga worship is thereby implied as the stabilizing return to Pati (Śiva) beyond sense-compulsion.

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

Śiva-tattva is suggested indirectly: even celestial beauty and desire are not ultimate, but instruments within Īśvara’s order; Pati remains the transcendent regulator who alone grants release from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No explicit rite is stated; the takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline—restraint of the senses and recollection of Pati through japa, dhyāna, and steady Linga-upāsanā when confronted with temptation.