Shloka 45

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

कुशद्वीपे कुशस्तम्बो घृतोदेन समावृतः । क्रौञ्चद्वीपो महाभाग श्रूयतां चापरो महान्

Transliteration

kuśadvīpe kuśastambo ghṛtodena samāvṛtaḥ | krauñcadvīpo mahābhāga śrūyatāṃ cāparo mahān

Translation

In Kuśa-dvīpa there stands a pillar-like clump of kuśa grass, encircled by an ocean of ghee. O fortunate one, now hear of another vast realm—the mighty Krauñca-dvīpa.

Word by Word

• कुशद्वीपे: in Kuśa-dvīpa
• कुशद्वीपे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश + द्वीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (kuśa-dvīpa = island of Kuśa)

• कुशस्तम्बः: a clump of kuśa grass
• कुशस्तम्बः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश + स्तम्ब (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (kuśa-stamba = clump of kuśa grass)

• घृतोदेन: with ghee-water
• घृतोदेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घृत + उद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ghṛta-uda = ghee-water/clarified-butter liquid)

• समावृतः: covered/surrounded
• समावृतः: Visheshana (विशेषण/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-√वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• क्रौञ्चद्वीपः: Krauñca-dvīpa
• क्रौञ्चद्वीपः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रौञ्च + द्वीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Krauñca-dvīpa)

• महाभाग: O greatly fortunate one
• महाभाग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (one who has great fortune)

• श्रूयताम्: let it be heard
• श्रूयताम्: Kriya (क्रिया/verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense: let it be heard)

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

• अपरः: another
• अपरः: Visheshana (विशेषण/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• महान्: great
• महान्: Visheshana (विशेषण/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Cosmographic description: Kuśadvīpa’s central kuśa-stambha and its encircling ghṛta-samudra (ocean of ghee), then transition to Krauñca-dvīpa.

Significance: Symbolic sacred geography: kuśa (ritual grass) and ghṛta (yajña substance) evoke a cosmos structured like a vast sacrifice—supporting the idea that ordered creation is a field for dharma and worship.

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Dvīpa-samudra cosmology: ghṛta-samudra motif (one of the purāṇic encircling oceans).

Characters & Entities

• Kuśa-dvīpa
• Krauñca-dvīpa
• Ghṛta-udaka (ocean of ghee)

FAQs

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

It presents the cosmos as an ordered manifestation within Śiva’s lordship (Pati), where even vast realms and oceans symbolize structured tattvas; contemplating this order supports viveka (discernment) and loosens bondage (pāśa).

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

By describing cosmic regions as upheld within a sacred order, the text reinforces Saguna Śiva as the sovereign sustainer of manifested reality—worship of the Liṅga becomes a focused means to honor the Lord who pervades and transcends these worlds.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śravaṇa-manana (reverent listening and reflection) on Śiva Purāṇa cosmology while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” using the ordered cosmos as a support for steady meditation on Śiva.