Shloka 15

सृष्टिवर्णनम्

Cosmogony and the Roles of the Trimūrti

Devanagari script

अप्सु पारिप्लवां पृथ्वीं दिशश्च दशधा दिवि । तत्र काले मनो वाचं कामक्रोधावथो रतिम्

Transliteration

apsu pāriplavāṃ pṛthvīṃ diśaśca daśadhā divi | tatra kāle mano vācaṃ kāmakrodhāvatho ratim

Translation

When the earth was inundated by the waters and the ten directions in the sky seemed as though split tenfold, at that time (the yogin should) restrain mind and speech, and also curb desire, anger, and even attachment to sensual delight.

Word by Word

• अप्सु: in the waters
• अप्सु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; अप्-शब्दः (waters)

• पारिप्लवाम्: floating around/drifting
• पारिप्लवाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पारिप्लव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; पृथ्वीम् विशेषयति

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

• दिशः: the directions
• दिशः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दशधा: tenfold
• दशधा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दशधा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb); प्रकारवाचक (in tenfold manner)

• दिवि: in heaven/sky
• दिवि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; द्यौः/दिव् (heaven)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Deshadhikarana (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• काले: at (that) time
• काले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वाचम्: speech
• वाचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• काम-क्रोधौ: desire and anger
• काम-क्रोधौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• अथो: then/and also
• अथो: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय) + उ (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातसमुदायः; अथ (then) + उ (emphasis) → अथो

• रतिम्: pleasure/sexual delight
• रतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva (inferred, Umāsaṃhitā philosophical instruction)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a sthala/jyotirliṅga episode; the verse uses pralaya-like imagery (earth inundated, directions dislocated) as a contemplative frame for yogic restraint (saṃyama) and dispassion.

Significance: General Śaiva sādhanā teaching: cultivating vairāgya and mastery of mind/speech amid cosmic instability; supports eligibility for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Pralaya-like inundation imagery (cosmic dissolution motif) used as yogic contemplation

FAQs

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

Using dissolution-like imagery (flooded earth and disoriented directions), the verse teaches that liberation requires conquering the inner pashas—mind, speech, desire, anger, and sensual clinging—so the soul can abide in Shiva-consciousness.

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

Linga-worship is paired with inner purification: devotion to Saguna Shiva becomes steady when the devotee restrains speech and mind and weakens kama and krodha, making worship mature into one-pointed bhakti and contemplative absorption.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with mauna (measured speech), pratyahara (withdrawing senses), and daily self-restraint; these directly counter desire, anger, and attachment while supporting Shiva-dhyana.