Shloka 9

एकोनविंशतिशिवावतारवर्णनम्

Description of the Nineteen Manifestations/Avatāras of Śiva

Devanagari script

बालखिल्याश्रमे गंधमादने पर्वतोत्तमे । सुधामा काश्यपश्चैव वसिष्ठो विरजाः शुभाः

Transliteration

bālakhilyāśrame gaṃdhamādane parvatottame | sudhāmā kāśyapaścaiva vasiṣṭho virajāḥ śubhāḥ

Translation

In the hermitage of the Bālakhilya sages, upon the most excellent mountain Gandhamādana, the auspicious seers Sudhāmā, Kaśyapa, Vasiṣṭha, and the pure Virajā were present.

Word by Word

• बालखिल्याश्रमे: in the Bālakhilyas’ hermitage
• बालखिल्याश्रमे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bālakhilya (प्रातिपदिक) + āśrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (बालखिल्यानाम् आश्रमः); पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• गन्धमादने: on Gandhamādana (mountain)
• गन्धमादने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandhamādana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; पर्वतनाम

• पर्वतोत्तमे: on the best of mountains
• पर्वतोत्तमे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parvata (प्रातिपदिक) + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमासः (उत्तमः पर्वतः); पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सुधामा: Sudhāmā
• सुधामा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sudhāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; नाम

• काश्यपः: Kaśyapa
• काश्यपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāśyapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; नाम

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/also
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

• वसिष्ठः: Vasiṣṭha
• वसिष्ठः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; नाम

• विरजाः: Virajāḥ
• विरजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: virajas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; नाम (stem in -as, nom.sg. -āḥ)

• शुभाः: auspicious
• शुभाः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to the listed sages collectively)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Gandhamādana is a mythic Himalayan sacred geography frequently used as a setting for siddha-sages; this verse functions as scene-setting rather than a Jyotirliṅga origin.

Significance: Evokes tīrtha-bhāva: association with siddha-ṛṣis and tapas as a purifier of mind and speech.

Characters & Entities

• Sudhāmā
• Kaśyapa
• Vasiṣṭha
• Virajā
• Bālakhilyas
• Gandhamādana

FAQs

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

It sanctifies the setting by naming a pure tirtha-like hermitage and accomplished rishis, indicating that Shiva’s manifestations and teachings are received where sattva, tapas, and holy company (satsaṅga) prevail.

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

By establishing a consecrated place and qualified seers, the text frames the forthcoming Shaiva narrative as grounded in proper adhikāra—devotion and austerity—through which Saguna Shiva is approached in sacred locales and assemblies.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is satsaṅga and tapas: seek holy company in a purified environment, then engage in japa (especially the Panchakshara, if taught in context), dhyāna, and disciplined observance as preparation for Shiva’s grace.