Shloka 71

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

उदयास्तमनेत्विंदोर्वर्द्धंत्यापो ह्रसन्ति च । अतो न्यूनातिरिक्ताश्च पक्षयोः शुक्लकृष्णयोः

Transliteration

udayāstamanetviṃdorvarddhaṃtyāpo hrasanti ca | ato nyūnātiriktāśca pakṣayoḥ śuklakṛṣṇayoḥ

Translation

Because the Moon’s rising and setting make the waters swell and subside, the bright and dark fortnights—śukla and kṛṣṇa pakṣa—are therefore found at times shorter and at times longer.

Word by Word

उदय-अस्तमनेat (the times of) rise and set

तुbut/indeed

इन्दोःof the moon

वर्धन्तिincrease

आपःwaters

ह्रसन्तिdecrease

चand

अतःtherefore

न्यून-अतिरिक्ताःless and more (deficient and excessive)

चand

पक्षयोःof the two fortnights

शुक्ल-कृष्णयोःof the bright and dark (fortnights)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

Moon (Candra)

FAQs

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

It frames sacred time (tithi and pakṣa) as part of Shiva’s ordered cosmos, where natural rhythms—like the Moon’s influence—govern the conditions for dharma, vrata, and worship.

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

Linga worship is traditionally aligned with auspicious tithis and pakṣas; this verse explains why lunar halves may vary, underscoring careful observance of Shiva-puja timings within Saguna devotional practice.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Observe Shiva-vratas with attention to lunar timing (pakṣa/tithi) and support the practice with steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), especially on key nights like Mahāśivarātri.