Shloka 8

Lokapramāṇa–Grahamaṇḍala–Dhruvaloka-vyavasthā

Cosmic Measures and the Arrangement of the Heavenly Spheres

Devanagari script

एकयोजनकोटिस्तु यत्र ते कल्पवासिनः । ध्रुवादूर्ध्वं महर्लोकस्सप्तैते ब्रह्मणस्सुताः

Transliteration

ekayojanakoṭistu yatra te kalpavāsinaḥ | dhruvādūrdhvaṃ maharlokassaptaite brahmaṇassutāḥ

Translation

There, the expanse measures a crore of yojanas, and the beings who dwell there remain for the duration of a kalpa. Above Dhruva lies Maharloka; there dwell the seven sons of Brahmā.

Word by Word

• एक-योजन-कोटिः: a crore of yojanas
• एक-योजन-कोटिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + योजन (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (परिमाणनिर्देश): ‘एकयोजनानां कोटिः’ (a crore of yojanas)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha/Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सम्बन्धबोधक-अव्यय (relative adverb of place)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• कल्प-वासिनः: the dwellers (there) for a kalpa
• कल्प-वासिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + वासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘कल्पे वासिनः’

• ध्रुवात्: from Dhruva
• ध्रुवात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (ablative), एकवचन

• ऊर्ध्वम्: above
• ऊर्ध्वम्: Desha-adhikarana (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• महर्-लोकः: Maharloka
• महर्-लोकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत्/महर् (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: ‘महान् लोकः’

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् of ‘सुताः’

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन

• सुताः: sons
• सुताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Maharloka placement above Dhruva; kalpa-duration dwellers (kalpavāsinaḥ)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Dhruva

FAQs

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

It places even exalted celestial realms within time (kalpa) and measurement, implying that lasting freedom is not gained by reaching higher lokas but by realizing Pati (Śiva) through right knowledge, devotion, and yogic discipline.

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

By contrasting temporary cosmic abodes with the highest refuge, it supports Saguna Śiva-upāsanā (such as Linga worship) as a means to purify the soul (paśu) and loosen bonds (pāśa), culminating in steadfast orientation toward Śiva beyond all lokas.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to pair daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with meditation on impermanence of worldly and heavenly attainments, strengthening vairāgya and steady dhyāna toward Śiva as the final goal.