Shloka 57

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

धर्महानिर्न तेष्वस्ति स्वर्गादागत्य मानवाः । वर्षेषु तेषु पृथिवीं विहरन्ति परस्परम्

Transliteration

dharmahānirna teṣvasti svargādāgatya mānavāḥ | varṣeṣu teṣu pṛthivīṃ viharanti parasparam

Translation

For them there is no decline of dharma. Those humans, having come down from heaven, dwell in those regions and move about upon the earth among one another in harmony.

Word by Word

• धर्महानिः: decline of dharma
• धर्महानिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + हानि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘loss of dharma’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• तेषु: among them/in them
• तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• अस्ति: is/exists
• अस्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• स्वर्गात्: from heaven
• स्वर्गात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• आगत्य: having come
• आगत्य: Kriyā-anuvṛtti (क्रियानुवृत्ति)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive)

• मानवाः: humans/men
• मानवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• वर्षेषु: in the regions/years (varṣas)
• वर्षेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• तेषु: in those
• तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• पृथिवीम्: the earth
• पृथिवीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विहरन्ति: roam/enjoy
• विहरन्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + हृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• परस्परम्: mutually/with one another
• परस्परम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; परस्परभावे क्रियाविशेषण (‘mutually’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Svarga

FAQs

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

It highlights a state where dharma does not deteriorate—an indicator of sattvic, Shiva-aligned living—so that beings who have earned heavenly merit live on earth in mutual harmony rather than conflict.

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

In Shaiva understanding, sustained dharma and social harmony are fruits of devotion to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga worship), because Shiva’s grace stabilizes conduct, reduces agitation (rajas/tamas), and supports righteous communal life.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain dharma through daily Shiva-smaraṇa and japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), supported by simple Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of disciplined conduct.