Shloka 35

Bhu-maṇḍala-varṇanam

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

Devanagari script

जठरं देवकूटश्च आयामे दक्षिणोत्तरे । गन्धमादनकैलासौ पूर्वपश्चिमतो गतौ

Transliteration

jaṭharaṃ devakūṭaśca āyāme dakṣiṇottare | gandhamādanakailāsau pūrvapaścimato gatau

Translation

In the north–south expanse lie the mountains Jaṭhara and Devakūṭa; and in the east–west direction extend Gandhamādana and Kailāsa.

Word by Word

• जठरम्: Jaṭhara (a mountain/name)
• जठरम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जठर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; nominative/accusative singular (neuter)

• देवकूटः: Devakūṭa (a mountain/name)
• देवकूटः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवकूट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; nominative singular (masculine)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय; conjunction ‘and’

• आयामे: in extent/lengthwise
• आयामे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; locative singular (masculine)

• दक्षिणोत्तरे: in the south and north (directionally)
• दक्षिणोत्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्षिण + उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; locative singular (neuter) used adverbially

• गन्धमादनकैलासौ: Gandhamādana and Kailāsa (mountains)
• गन्धमादनकैलासौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धमादन + कैलास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), द्विवचन; nominative dual (masculine)

• पूर्वपश्चिमतः: from the east and west
• पूर्वपश्चिमतः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व + पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास-आधारित तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय; adverbial ablative sense ‘from the east and west’

• गतौ: gone/extended (situated)
• गतौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + गत (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), द्विवचन; agreeing with dual subject

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Kedāranātha

Sthala Purana: Kailāsa named in the verse evokes Śiva’s abode; Kedāranātha is traditionally linked with the Himalayan Śaiva landscape and the idea of approaching Kailāsa-tattva through tīrtha-yātrā. This verse is not the Kedāra-māhātmya itself but supports the sacred geography backdrop.

Significance: Meditating on Kailāsa as the east–west axis-mountain supports bhāva of Śiva as the cosmic center; Himalayan pilgrimage is framed as moving along Śiva’s own geography.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Axis mapping of sacred mountains: north–south (Jaṭhara/Devakūṭa) and east–west (Gandhamādana/Kailāsa) establishing cosmic orientation.

Characters & Entities

• Kailasa
• Gandhamadana
• Jathara
• Devakuta

FAQs

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

It sanctifies sacred geography by mapping the divine region around Kailāsa, presenting the world as ordered around Shiva’s abode—an aid to devotion (bhakti) and contemplative remembrance of Pati, the supreme Lord.

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

By highlighting Kailāsa as Shiva’s manifest abode, it supports Saguna-focused devotion: the devotee meditates on Shiva’s presence in a holy locus, which naturally leads to reverence for the Linga as the accessible sign (liṅga) of the transcendent Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple practice is dhyāna on Kailāsa’s sacred directions—mentally placing Shiva’s abode at the center—while repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” aligning inner orientation with divine remembrance.