Shloka 9

Devanagari script

ब्राह्माण्डं सृजति ब्रह्मा चतुर्द्दशभवात्मकम् । तद्वच्मि क्रमतस्तात समासाच्छृणु यत्नतः

Transliteration

brāhmāṇḍaṃ sṛjati brahmā caturddaśabhavātmakam | tadvacmi kramatastāta samāsācchṛṇu yatnataḥ

Translation

Brahmā brings forth the cosmic egg (Brahmāṇḍa), formed of the fourteen worlds. Dear one, I shall relate it in proper order; listen carefully, in brief, with attentive effort.

Word by Word

• ब्राह्माण्डम्: the cosmic egg (universe)
• ब्राह्माण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्माण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—ब्रह्मणः अण्डम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• सृजति: creates
• सृजति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सृज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• चतुर्दश-भव-आत्मकम्: consisting of fourteen worlds
• चतुर्दश-भव-आत्मकम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + भव (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—चतुर्दशानां भवानां आत्मा यस्य तत् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• तत्: that (topic/that matter)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वच्मि: I speak / I will tell
• वच्मि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• क्रमतः: in order, sequentially
• क्रमतः: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/क्रम-निर्देशक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of order)

• तात: O dear one / O son
• तात: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (Vocative), एकवचन

• समासात्: briefly, in summary
• समासात्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचनरूपेण अव्ययीभूत (ablatival adverb): 'संक्षेपेण/समासेन'

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यत्नतः: carefully, with effort
• यत्नतः: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त क्रियाविशेषण (adverb): 'यत्नेन'

Speaker

Lord Shiva (instructor in Umāsaṃhitā discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Hearing the ordered account of the fourteen worlds supports dhyāna on Śiva’s īśvaratva (lordship) over all bhuvanas and strengthens viveka about the transience of loka-bound existence.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Structured cosmogony: manifestation of caturdaśa-bhuvana within brahmāṇḍa.

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames creation as an ordered, intelligible process within the Brahmāṇḍa, while implying the Shaiva view that such cosmic functions operate under the higher sovereignty of Pati (Shiva), guiding the seeker from cosmology toward liberation-oriented understanding.

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

By presenting Brahmā as the functional creator of the fourteen worlds, the text points to the need for a higher refuge beyond changing creation—Saguna Shiva as the worshipful Lord (often symbolized by the Linga) who transcends and governs cosmic processes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (attentive listening) and contemplation in sequence—study creation teachings with disciplined focus, supporting mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to turn knowledge of the worlds into detachment and devotion.