Shloka 24

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

गोमंतश्चैव चन्द्रश्च नारदो दर्दुरस्तथा । सोमकस्सुमनाश्शैलो वैभ्राजश्चैव सत्तमः

Transliteration

gomaṃtaścaiva candraśca nārado dardurastathā | somakassumanāśśailo vaibhrājaścaiva sattamaḥ

Translation

“(There were) Gomanta and Candra, and also Nārada, as well as Dardura; likewise Somaka, Sumanā, Śaila, and Vaibhrāja—O best (among the listeners).”

Word by Word

• गोमन्तः: Gomanta (name of a mountain)
• गोमन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (proper noun)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)

• चन्द्रः: Candra (name)
• चन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक निपात

• नारदः: Nārada
• नारदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• दर्दुरः: Dardura (name)
• दर्दुरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्दुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/सादृश्यवाचक (likewise)

• सोमकः: Somaka (name)
• सोमकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• सुमनाः: Sumanas (name)
• सुमनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुमनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम; अस्-प्रातिपदिक (सुमनाः)

• शैलः: Śaila (name)
• शैलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• वैभ्राजः: Vaibhrāja (name)
• वैभ्राजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैभ्राज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक निपात

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक निपात

• सत्तमः: the best/excellent
• सत्तमः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (superlative sense: best among the good)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: List of proper names (likely mountains/regions/peaks or sub-areas within dvīpa-varṣa description); not tied to a Jyotirliṅga origin.

Significance: Functions as sacred-geography cataloging; supports smaraṇa of tīrthas/regions as part of Purāṇic listening (śravaṇa) merit.

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Candra

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a sacred roll-call of notable beings, indicating that Shiva’s narrative and grace are witnessed and transmitted through realized seers and divine attendants—supporting the Shaiva view that true knowledge (jnana) is preserved through lineage and devotion.

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

By naming revered figures within the account, the text frames Shiva’s Saguna manifestations and Linga-centered worship as historically and spiritually endorsed by authoritative devotees and sages, strengthening faith (śraddhā) in Shiva’s accessible, worship-worthy form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa—reverent remembrance of Shiva and his devotees—paired with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a simple daily discipline in the spirit of the Purana’s transmitted tradition.