Shloka 42

Bhu-maṇḍala-varṇanam

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

Devanagari script

स्वस्थाः प्रजा निरातंकास्सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः । दशद्वादशवर्षाणां सहस्राणि स्थिरायुषः

Transliteration

svasthāḥ prajā nirātaṃkāssarvaduḥkhavivarjitāḥ | daśadvādaśavarṣāṇāṃ sahasrāṇi sthirāyuṣaḥ

Translation

The people remain well and whole, free from fear and anxiety, untouched by every kind of sorrow. Their lifespan is steady and long—enduring for thousands of years, reckoned in tens and in twelves of years.

Word by Word

• स्वस्थाः: healthy, well
• स्वस्थाः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (स्वः+स्थः) = 'स्वस्थः'

• प्रजाः: subjects, people
• प्रजाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• निरातङ्काः: free from fear/disturbance
• निरातङ्काः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरातङ्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (निर्+आतङ्क)

• सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः: devoid of all sorrow
• सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-दुःख-विवर्जित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) 'विवर्जित' (√वर्ज् त्यागे) ; तत्पुरुषसमासः (सर्वदुःखेन विवर्जिताः)

• दशद्वादशवर्षाणाम्: of (ten and twelve) years
• दशद्वादशवर्षाणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दश-द्वादश-वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (दश च द्वादश च) + वर्ष

• सहस्राणि: thousands
• सहस्राणि: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), बहुवचन

• स्थिरायुषः: of steady/long life
• स्थिरायुषः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Karta-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थिर-आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (स्थिरम् आयुः यस्य)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It depicts the fruit of Shiva’s grace: when Pati (Shiva) is honored and dharma is upheld, the pashu (souls/people) become free from pasha-like afflictions—fear, disease, and sorrow—experiencing steadiness of life and mind.

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

Such well-being is traditionally described as a result of Saguna Shiva worship—reverence to Shiva through the Linga, vows, and devotion—by which Shiva’s protective and sustaining power manifests in the world as peace and freedom from calamity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied takeaway is regular Shiva-bhakti: daily remembrance of Shiva with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with simple Shaiva observances such as Bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and disciplined conduct that reduces fear and sorrow.