Shloka 28

Bhu-maṇḍala-varṇanam

Description of the Earth-Maṇḍala, the Seven Continents, and Meru

Devanagari script

अष्टानां लोकपालानां परितस्तदनुक्रमात् । यथादिशं यथारूपं पुरोऽष्टावुपकल्पिताः

Transliteration

aṣṭānāṃ lokapālānāṃ paritastadanukramāt | yathādiśaṃ yathārūpaṃ puro'ṣṭāvupakalpitāḥ

Translation

In proper sequence, eight arrangements were set forth in front and all around, corresponding to the eight Lokapālas—each in its own direction and in a form befitting that quarter.

Word by Word

• अष्टानाम्: of the eight
• अष्टानाम्: सम्बन्ध (genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टन् (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग-प्रयोग), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• लोकपालानाम्: of the guardians of the worlds (Lokapālas)
• लोकपालानाम्: सम्बन्ध (genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोकपाल (प्रातिपदिक); लोक + पाल
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• परितः: around
• परितः: अधिकरण (spatial relation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परितः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्गार्थक/स्थानवाचक-अव्यय (around)

• तत्: that
• तत्: विशेष्य-सूचक (deictic reference)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अनुक्रमात्: according to the sequence
• अनुक्रमात्: अपादान (Ablative; according to sequence)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; हेतौ/क्रमे (in due order)

• यथा: as, according to
• यथा: प्रकार (manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (as, according to)

• दिशम्: direction
• दिशम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; with यथा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• यथा: as
• यथा: प्रकार (manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (as)

• रूपम्: form
• रूपम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; with यथा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• पुरः: in front; (contextually) cities
• पुरः: अधिकरण/सम्बन्ध (spatial/discourse)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक (in front/at the fore; here: ‘cities’ as plural sense is contextual, but form is indeclinable)

• अष्टौ: eight
• अष्टौ: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अष्टन् (प्रातिपदिक/संख्या)
• Form: (सर्वलिङ्ग-प्रयोग), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन

• उपकल्पिताः: were arranged/prepared
• उपकल्पिताः: क्रिया (predicate; passive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-कल्प् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत्-प्रत्यय (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense: ‘were arranged’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Directional ordering around the cosmic center reflects the stabilizing governance of the universe; no specific Jyotirliṅga localization.

Significance: Supports ‘dik-pāla-smaraṇa’ and circumambulatory (pradakṣiṇā) sensibility: the devotee aligns with cosmic order as a prelude to Śiva-upāsanā.

Characters & Entities

• Lokapalas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes cosmic order (ṛta) expressed through sacred space: the directions and their guardians are harmonized around the central act of worship, indicating that devotion to Shiva aligns the devotee with the universe’s ordained structure.

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

In Saguna worship, the shrine is conceived as a cosmos in miniature: Shiva (often as the Linga) is honored as the central Lord, while the directional guardians are acknowledged in their proper places, showing that all powers of the directions ultimately support the Lord’s worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dik-śuddhi (purifying and honoring the directions) before pūjā—mentally offering reverence to the guardians of the eight directions, then centering awareness on Shiva with mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) to establish steadiness in worship.