Shloka 13

Lokapramāṇa–Grahamaṇḍala–Dhruvaloka-vyavasthā

Cosmic Measures and the Arrangement of the Heavenly Spheres

Devanagari script

रुद्रलक्षैर्योजनतस्सप्तोर्ध्वमृषयः स्थिताः । विश्वलक्षैर्योजनतो ध्रुवस्थितिरुदाहृता

Transliteration

rudralakṣairyojanatassaptordhvamṛṣayaḥ sthitāḥ | viśvalakṣairyojanato dhruvasthitirudāhṛtā

Translation

Above that, seven classes of Ṛṣis are said to abide at a height of a rudra-lakṣa of yojanas; and the station of Dhruva is declared to be at a viśva-lakṣa of yojanas (a million) above.

Word by Word

• रुद्र-लक्षैः: by rudra-lakhs (eleven lakhs)
• रुद्र-लक्षैः: करण (Karaṇa; instrument/measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी) = ‘by Rudra-lakhs (i.e., 11-lakhs)’

• योजनतः: in yojanas (as measure)
• योजनतः: प्रमाण (Pramāṇa; measure)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) = ‘in terms of yojanas/yojana-wise’

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; (here) विशेषणरूपेण ‘seven’

• ऊर्ध्वम्: above
• ऊर्ध्वम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa; direction/location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ऊर्ध्वम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण = ‘above’

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: कर्ता (Kartā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• स्थिताः: are situated
• स्थिताः: क्रियापद (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘are situated’

• विश्व-लक्षैः: by viśva-lakhs (thirteen lakhs)
• विश्व-लक्षैः: करण (Karaṇa; instrument/measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी) = ‘by viśva-lakhs (i.e., 13-lakhs)’

• योजनतः: in yojanas
• योजनतः: प्रमाण (Pramāṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त = ‘yojana-wise’

• ध्रुव-स्थितिः: Dhruva’s position (Pole star’s station)
• ध्रुव-स्थितिः: कर्ता (Kartā; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्रुव (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी) = ‘the position/state of Dhruva (Pole star)’

• उदाहृता: is declared
• उदाहृता: क्रियापद (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-आ-हृ (धातु) → उदाहृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘is stated/declared’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva
• Rishis

FAQs

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

It presents cosmic hierarchy as a sacred order (niyati) under the Lord’s governance, reminding the seeker that higher realms are still within creation, while liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta is attained by the grace of Pati (Shiva), transcending all levels.

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

By mapping exalted stations like the sages’ realms and Dhruva’s abode, the text turns the mind from mere worldly orientation to devotional contemplation of Shiva as the supreme support of all worlds—worship of the Linga anchors awareness in that sustaining Reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna on Shiva as the inner axis (dhruva) of consciousness—steadiness in japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with focused mind, cultivating unwavering one-pointedness.