Shloka 48

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

निवसंति निरातंका वर्षशैलेषु तेषु वै । सर्वसौवर्णरम्येषु सुहृद्देवगणैः प्रजाः

Transliteration

nivasaṃti nirātaṃkā varṣaśaileṣu teṣu vai | sarvasauvarṇaramyeṣu suhṛddevagaṇaiḥ prajāḥ

Translation

In those Varṣa mountains they dwell indeed, free from fear and calamity—people living in delightful regions that appear wholly golden, in the company of friendly hosts of divine beings.

Word by Word

• nivasanti: they dwell
• nivasanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni + √vas (वस्) (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Third person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• nirātaṅkāḥ: free from fear/trouble
• nirātaṅkāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir + ātaṅka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); adjective qualifying prajāḥ

• varṣa-śaileṣu: in the Varṣa-mountains
• varṣa-śaileṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + śaila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘in the Varṣa-mountains’

• teṣu: in those
• teṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चयार्थक अव्यय)

• sarva-sauvarṇa-ramyeṣu: in all the golden, lovely (ones)
• sarva-sauvarṇa-ramyeṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + sauvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ramya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारय: ‘in all (places) that are golden and delightful’ (qualifying varṣaśaileṣu/teṣu)

• suhṛd-deva-gaṇaiḥ: with friendly hosts of gods
• suhṛd-deva-gaṇaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suhṛd (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘by/with groups of friendly devas’

• prajāḥ: the subjects/people
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

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

It portrays an auspicious Shaiva ideal: where Shiva’s grace prevails, beings live “nirātaṅka”—freed from anxiety and harm—suggesting the peace that arises when pasha (bondage and fear) is weakened and the soul rests under Pati’s protection.

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

Such fearlessness and harmony are described as fruits of living within Shiva’s benevolent order; in Purana idiom, devotion to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga-worship) is a primary means by which devotees receive protection, auspiciousness, and a purified environment.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies cultivating a fear-free, Shiva-protected life through steady bhakti—classically supported by daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintaining purity with Shaiva disciplines such as bhasma and rudrāksha, where applicable.