Shloka 24
Bhu-maṇḍala-varṇanam
Description of the Earth-Maṇḍala, the Seven Continents, and Meru
त्रिकूटश्शिशिरश्चैव पतंगो रुचकस्तथा । निषधः कपिलायाश्च दक्षिणे केसराचलाः
trikūṭaśśiśiraścaiva pataṃgo rucakastathā | niṣadhaḥ kapilāyāśca dakṣiṇe kesarācalāḥ
To the south are these famed mountains: Trikūṭa and Śiśira, Pataṅga and Rucaka; likewise Niṣadha; and, in the southern region, the Kesarācalas of Kapilā.
Suta Goswami
Sthala Purana: Southern Meru-adjacent ranges (Trikūṭa, Śiśira, Pataṅga, Rucaka, Niṣadha, and Kapilā-associated Kesarācalas) are enumerated as part of cosmic geography; no Jyotirliṅga identification is made in this passage.
Significance: Reinforces the purāṇic principle that sacred space is structured and nameable; such naming supports ‘smṛti’ and ‘saṅkalpa’ in pilgrimage and ritual imagination.
FAQs
It sanctifies the southern sacred landscape by naming revered mountains, encouraging remembrance of Shiva-linked regions (tīrthas) where devotion, purity, and merit are traditionally intensified.
Such geographic catalogues function as a devotional map: devotees approach Saguna Shiva through holy places associated with His presence and grace, often expressed in the Purana through linga worship and tīrtha-sevā.
Pilgrimage with japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintaining śauca (purity), and offering simple worship (water, bilva leaves) at Shiva shrines encountered in these sacred regions.