Shloka 39

घनागमवर्णनम् / Description of the Monsoon’s Onset

Satī’s Address to Śiva

Devanagari script

हिरण्मयै रत्ननालैः पंकजैर्मुकुलैर्वृतम् । शिशुमारैस्तथासंख्यैः कच्छपैर्मकरैः करैः

Transliteration

hiraṇmayai ratnanālaiḥ paṃkajairmukulairvṛtam | śiśumāraistathāsaṃkhyaiḥ kacchapairmakaraiḥ karaiḥ

Translation

It was encircled by lotuses with golden radiance and jewel-like stalks, thick with buds; and it was filled with countless aquatic beings—dolphin-like creatures, tortoises, makaras, and elephants moving in the waters.

Word by Word

• हिरण्मयैः: with golden (ones)
• हिरण्मयैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिरण्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; adjective used instrumentally (golden/ made of gold)

• रत्न-नालैः: with jewel-stalks
• रत्न-नालैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + नाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रत्नानां नालाः)

• पङ्कजैः: with lotuses
• पङ्कजैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पङ्कज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• मुकुलैः: with buds
• मुकुलैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• वृतम्: covered/enclosed
• वृतम्: Karmaṇi-bhāva (कर्मणि भावः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘enclosed/covered’ (agrees with implied neuter subject like सरः/तडागम्)

• शिशुमारैः: with dolphins/porpoises
• शिशुमारैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशुमार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) = ‘also/likewise’

• असंख्यैः: with countless (ones)
• असंख्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असंख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; adjective = ‘countless’

• कच्छपैः: with tortoises
• कच्छपैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कच्छप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• मकरैः: with makaras (aquatic creatures)
• मकरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• करैः: with hands (or hand-like forms)
• करैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; contextually ‘hands/trunks/rays’—here likely ‘hands’ as decorative/figurative elements

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

The verse uses sacred-water imagery—lotuses, jewels, and living beings—to depict an auspicious realm where purity (śuddhi) and divine order are naturally present, reflecting Shaiva Siddhanta’s view that sacred environments support upliftment of the soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati).

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

Such descriptions prepare the mind for saguna-bhāvanā—contemplating Shiva’s manifest auspiciousness through sacred settings—making the heart receptive to Linga worship, where the devotee approaches the Lord through purity, beauty, and reverent attention.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna on a lotus-filled sacred lake as a purity-visualization before japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with maintaining external cleanliness (snāna) and inner tranquility (śama) as preparatory disciplines.