Shloka 10

ब्रह्माण्डदान-प्रशंसा तथा ब्रह्माण्ड-प्रमाण-वर्णनम्

Praise of the Gift of the Cosmic Egg and Description of the Brahmāṇḍa’s Measure

Devanagari script

पातालानि तु सप्तैव भुवनानि तथोर्द्ध्वतः । उच्छ्रायो द्विगुणस्तस्य जलमध्ये स्थितस्य च

Transliteration

pātālāni tu saptaiva bhuvanāni tathorddhvataḥ | ucchrāyo dviguṇastasya jalamadhye sthitasya ca

Translation

There are indeed seven nether realms (Pātālas), and likewise the worlds above. The vertical extent of that cosmic region is said to be twice as much, and it is situated in the midst of the waters.

Word by Word

• पातालानि: the netherworlds (Pātālas)
• पातालानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाताल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/उद्देश्य), बहुवचन

• तु: indeed / but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक निपात (particle: 'but/indeed')

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (पातालानि इति विशेष्येण सह)

• एव: only, exactly
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक निपात (particle of emphasis)

• भुवनानि: worlds
• भुवनानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तथा: thus, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक (adverb/conj.: 'thus/also')

• ऊर्ध्वतः: above, upwards
• ऊर्ध्वतः: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (adverb): 'ऊर्ध्वभागे/उपरि'

• उच्छ्रायः: height, elevation
• उच्छ्रायः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उच्छ्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• द्विगुणः: double, twofold
• द्विगुणः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः—द्वौ गुणौ यस्य सः (twofold)

• तस्य: of that / its
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• जलमध्ये: in the midst of water
• जलमध्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक) + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—जलस्य मध्ये इति सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः

• स्थितस्य: of the one situated
• स्थितस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'स्थित' = 'standing/being situated'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Cosmographic knowledge here functions as pāśa-vicāra: understanding the layered realms and their containment ‘within waters’ encourages detachment from loka-bound pursuits.

FAQs

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

It frames the multi-layered cosmos (lower and higher worlds) as an ordered field of experience within creation, implying that liberation is not achieved by roaming worlds but by turning to Pati (Shiva) who transcends them.

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

By describing the cosmic structure, it highlights that all realms are contained within manifested creation; Saguna Shiva, worshipped as the Linga, is revered as the Lord who pervades and governs these worlds while remaining beyond them as the supreme Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplate the impermanence and limitation of all worlds while doing japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), using Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as reminders of detachment and Shiva-centered liberation.