Shloka 17

हिमाचलविवाहवर्णनम् — Description of Himācala’s

context for) Marriage / The Himālaya-Marriage Narrative (Chapter Opening

Devanagari script

नानावृक्षसमाकीर्णो नानाशृंगसुचित्रितः । सिंहव्याघ्रादिपशुभिस्सेवितस्सुखिभिस्सदा

Transliteration

nānāvṛkṣasamākīrṇo nānāśṛṃgasucitritaḥ | siṃhavyāghrādipaśubhissevitassukhibhissadā

Translation

It was filled with many kinds of trees and beautifully adorned with diverse peaks; it was ever frequented by lions, tigers, and other beasts—who remained always peaceful and content there.

Word by Word

• nānā-vṛkṣa-samākīrṇaḥ: filled with many trees
• nānā-vṛkṣa-samākīrṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + sam-ā-√kṝ (कॄ) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound with PPP head: 'filled with many trees'; kṛdanta (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त) used adjectivally; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• nānā-śṛṅga-su-citritaḥ: beautifully adorned with many peaks
• nānā-śṛṅga-su-citritaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + su (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + √citr (चित्र्) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound with PPP head: 'beautifully adorned with many peaks'; Masculine Nominative Singular

• siṃha-vyāghra-ādi-paśubhiḥ: by animals like lions and tigers
• siṃha-vyāghra-ādi-paśubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṃha (प्रातिपदिक) + vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + paśu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound: 'animals such as lions and tigers'; Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sevitaḥ: frequented
• sevitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sev (सेव्) + kta (क्त) (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta past passive participle (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त), Masculine Nominative Singular; 'frequented/inhabited/served'

• sukhibhiḥ: by happy (beings)
• sukhibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sukhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); agent-instrument with sevitaḥ: 'by happy (beings)'

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kāla (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण): 'always'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Continuation of the sacred mountain’s description: abundant forests and many-peaked beauty; even predatory animals dwell in harmony—signifying a sanctified kṣetra where natural hostility is pacified.

Significance: Models the kṣetra as a field of inner pacification (śānti): approaching Śiva’s dear abode calms the ‘beastly’ impulses, supporting tapas and contemplation.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

FAQs

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

The verse depicts a sanctified space where even fierce creatures become calm, pointing to Shaiva Siddhanta’s idea that in the presence of Pati (Shiva), the pashu-nature (restless instinct) is pacified and harmony arises naturally.

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

Such descriptions frame Saguna Shiva’s realm as tangibly peace-giving: devotion to Shiva (often centered on the Linga) is portrayed as transforming the environment and the devotee, turning agitation into serenity through Shiva’s grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva’s dhama as a field of fearlessness and inner quiet; during japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), contemplate the calming of one’s ‘inner beasts’ (anger, fear, craving) into contentment.