Shloka 14

एकोनविंशतिशिवावतारवर्णनम्

Description of the Nineteen Manifestations/Avatāras of Śiva

Devanagari script

तत्रापि मम चत्वारो भविष्यन्ति सुता दृढाः । कुणिश्च कुणिबाहुश्च कुशरीरः कुनेत्रकः

Transliteration

tatrāpi mama catvāro bhaviṣyanti sutā dṛḍhāḥ | kuṇiśca kuṇibāhuśca kuśarīraḥ kunetrakaḥ

Translation

There too, four steadfast sons of mine shall be born—Kuṇi, Kuṇibāhu, Kuśarīra, and Kunetraka.

Word by Word

तत्रthere

अपिalso

ममmy

चत्वारःfour

भविष्यन्तिwill be / will become

सुताःsons

दृढाःfirm/strong

कुणिःKuṇi (name)

चand

कुणि-बाहुःKuṇibāhu (name)

चand

कु-शरीरःKuśarīra (name)

कु-नेत्रकःKunetraka (name)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Genealogical note: four sons (Kuṇi, Kuṇibāhu, Kuśarīra, Kunetraka) are foretold/mentioned in the Vedaśīrṣa setting; not tied to a Jyotirliṅga.

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes the orderly unfolding of Shiva’s cosmic play through lineages and named manifestations, pointing to Rudra’s pervasive governance of creation while remaining the supreme Pati beyond all forms.

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

By naming specific beings connected with Rudra’s sphere, the text supports Saguna devotion—worshipping Shiva with attributes and narratives—while the Linga remains the universal symbol through which all such forms are ultimately contemplated.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa (remembrance of Shiva’s names/forms) alongside japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating the dṛḍha-bhāva (steadfast devotion) praised in the verse.