Shloka 17

सोमवर्णनम्

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

Devanagari script

तारानक्षत्ररूपाणि हीनानि तु परस्परम् शतानि पञ्च चत्वारि त्रीणि द्वे चैव योजने

Transliteration

tārānakṣatrarūpāṇi hīnāni tu parasparam śatāni pañca catvāri trīṇi dve caiva yojane

Translation

The forms of the stars and the constellations are set apart from one another at intervals—five hundred, four hundred, three hundred, and two hundred yojanas.

Word by Word

• तारा (tārā): star

• नक्षत्र (nakṣatra): lunar mansion/constellation

• रूपाणि (rūpāṇi): forms/appearances

• हीनानि (hīnāni): separated/at a lesser distance (set apart)

• तु (tu): indeed

• परस्परम् (parasparam): from one another/mutually

• शतानि (śatāni): hundreds

• पञ्च (pañca): five

• चत्वारि (catvāri): four

• त्रीणि (trīṇi): three

• द्वे (dve): two

• च (ca): and

• एव (eva): precisely

• योजने (yojane): in yojanas (a measure of distance)

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 frames the cosmos as a measured, orderly manifestation under Pati (Shiva); Linga worship aligns the pashu (soul) with that higher order through devotion and discipline.

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

By presenting a precisely structured universe, the verse implies Shiva as the transcendent regulator whose śakti sustains cosmic arrangement while remaining beyond it—Pati over all measures.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Not a direct ritual instruction; the takeaway is contemplative Pashupata orientation—meditating on cosmic order to loosen pasha (bondage) and steady the mind in Shiva-centered awareness.