Shloka 25

रामेश्वरलिङ्गप्रादुर्भावः

The Manifestation/Origin of the Rāmeśvara Liṅga

Devanagari script

एतज्जलमगाधं च वारिधेर्भवतारण । रावणाख्यो महावीरो राक्षसो बलवत्तरः

Transliteration

etajjalamagādhaṃ ca vāridherbhavatāraṇa | rāvaṇākhyo mahāvīro rākṣaso balavattaraḥ

Translation

“This expanse of water is unfathomably deep; how will you cross this ocean? There is a mighty and heroic Rākṣasa named Rāvaṇa, exceedingly powerful.”

Word by Word

• etat: this
• etat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; विशेषण

• jalam: water
• jalam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• agādham: unfathomable, very deep
• agādham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-gādha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-समास (negation) as adjective

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• vāridheḥ: of the ocean
• vāridheḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāridhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• bhava-tāraṇa: O deliverer across saṃsāra
• bhava-tāraṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhava (प्रातिपदिक) + tāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन/प्रथमा एकवचन (contextually vocative epithet); तत्पुरुष: ‘भवस्य तारणम्’ (crossing of worldly existence)

• rāvaṇa-ākhyaḥ: named Rāvaṇa
• rāvaṇa-ākhyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘रावण इति आख्यः’ (named Rāvaṇa)

• mahā-vīraḥ: a great hero
• mahā-vīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘महान् वीरः’

• rākṣasaḥ: a demon (Rākṣasa)
• rākṣasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bala-vattaraḥ: stronger, more powerful
• bala-vattaraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (प्रत्यय) + tara (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तरप्-प्रत्यय (comparative): ‘more powerful’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights the existential ‘ocean’ motif—saṃsāra as duruttara—prompting reliance on Śiva’s grace for crossing (tāraṇa).

Characters & Entities

• Ravana

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights the contrast between daunting worldly obstacles (the unfathomable ocean) and the fear of overpowering forces (Ravana), implying that mere physical might is insufficient—steadfast reliance on Shiva as Pati (the liberating Lord) is the deeper Shaiva teaching.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Kotirudra contexts, such warnings about danger and mighty adversaries underscore why devotees seek Saguna Shiva through Linga-worship—approaching Shiva as the accessible refuge whose grace enables safe passage through both outer journeys (tirtha) and inner bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before undertaking difficult travel or vows, and to maintain Shiva-oriented remembrance (smaraṇa) as protection beyond mere strength.