Shloka 31
Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā
The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography
प्लक्षस्तन्नामसंज्ञो वै प्लक्षद्वीपो द्विजोत्तम । इज्यते तत्र भगवाञ्छंकरो लोकशंकरः
plakṣastannāmasaṃjño vai plakṣadvīpo dvijottama | ijyate tatra bhagavāñchaṃkaro lokaśaṃkaraḥ
O best of Brahmins, there is indeed an island-continent known by that very name—Plakṣa-dvīpa. There the Blessed Lord Śaṅkara, benefactor of the worlds, is worshipped.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse situates Śaṅkara’s worship in Plakṣa-dvīpa as part of Purāṇic cosmography, implying Śiva’s universal lordship beyond Bhārata-varṣa.
Significance: Frames Śiva as loka-śaṅkara (universal benefactor), encouraging bhakti that is not geographically limited; merit arises from recognizing His all-pervasive sovereignty.
Cosmic Event: Purāṇic cosmography of dvīpas (world-structure narration)
FAQs
It affirms that sacred geography is spiritually charged: in Plakṣa-dvīpa, Śiva as Śaṅkara is approached as the compassionate Pati (Lord) who grants auspiciousness and supports the worlds, encouraging devotion as a direct path toward grace and liberation.
By stating that Bhagavān Śaṅkara is worshipped there, the verse points to Saguna-upāsanā—Śiva worshipped with form and attributes, commonly through the Śiva-liṅga and related rites, as a means to receive Śiva’s anugraha (saving grace).
The takeaway is regular Śiva-pūjā: worship Śaṅkara with mantra-japa (especially Pañcākṣarī—"Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), offerings such as water and bilva leaves, and a steady contemplative remembrance of Śiva as loka-śaṅkara (the good of all beings).