Shloka 22

Lokapramāṇa–Grahamaṇḍala–Dhruvaloka-vyavasthā

Cosmic Measures and the Arrangement of the Heavenly Spheres

Devanagari script

भूतादिनापि महता दिग्गुणोत्तरवेष्टितः । महांतं च समावृत्य प्रधानं पुरुषः स्थितः

Transliteration

bhūtādināpi mahatā digguṇottaraveṣṭitaḥ | mahāṃtaṃ ca samāvṛtya pradhānaṃ puruṣaḥ sthitaḥ

Translation

Enveloped by the great principle beginning with the elements and also by the higher sheath of the directional qualities, the Puruṣa stands—covering even Mahat—and remains established upon Pradhāna (Primordial Nature).

Word by Word

• भूतादिना: by the elements etc.
• भूतादिना: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Instrumental, Singular; तत्पुरुष (भूतानि आदिः यस्मात्/येन)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/समुच्चय-अव्यय (also/even)

• महता: great
• महता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental Singular (agreeing with भूतादिना)

• दिक्: direction
• दिक्: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग); Feminine stem used in compound

• गुण: quality
• गुण: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग)

• उत्तर: higher/superior
• उत्तर: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग)

• वेष्टितः: enveloped/surrounded
• वेष्टितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √वेष्ट् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महान्तम्: the great (principle)
• महान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular

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

• समावृत्य: having covered
• समावृत्य: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√वृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकाल; having covered/enveloped

• प्रधानम्: Pradhāna (primordial matter)
• प्रधानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• पुरुषः: Puruṣa (spirit/person)
• पुरुषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• स्थितः: stands/abides
• स्थितः: Kriya (क्रिया/State)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; used predicatively

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching Umā/Parvati in the Umāsaṃhitā’s philosophical discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Purusha
• Pradhana
• Mahat
• Bhutas

FAQs

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

It describes how consciousness (Puruṣa) appears encased within successive cosmic coverings—elements and subtler guṇic sheaths—showing the Shaiva insight that bondage is a layered enclosure, and liberation is gained by discerning Pati (Shiva) beyond these tattvas.

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

Linga-worship trains the mind to move from the manifest layers (bhūtas, guṇas, Mahat, Pradhāna) to their source—Shiva as Pati—so Saguna worship becomes a doorway to realizing the transcendent Lord beyond all coverings.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as the witness beyond Pradhāna and Mahat while repeating the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya); as a supporting sādhana, wear Rudrākṣa and apply Tripuṇḍra to cultivate detachment from the guṇic coverings.