Shloka 2

स्वायम्भुव-मन्वन्तर-वंशवर्णनम्

Genealogy of Svāyambhuva Manu and the Dhruva Episode

Devanagari script

आपवस्य महिम्ना तु दिवमावृत्य तिष्ठतः । धर्मेणैव महात्मा स शतरूपाप्यजायत

Transliteration

āpavasya mahimnā tu divamāvṛtya tiṣṭhataḥ | dharmeṇaiva mahātmā sa śatarūpāpyajāyata

Translation

By the greatness of that austerity, he stood, enveloping even heaven; and by righteousness (dharma) alone, that great-souled one was born again in a hundred forms.

Word by Word

• आपवस्य: of Āpava
• आपवस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आपव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• महिम्ना: by (his) greatness
• महिम्ना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण (instrumental)

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

• दिवम्: the heaven/sky
• दिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्/द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• आवृत्य: having covered/enveloped
• आवृत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+वृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having covered)

• तिष्ठतः: of (him) standing
• तिष्ठतः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), षष्ठी, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; ‘तिष्ठन्’ इत्यस्य gen. sg. (of one who stands)

• धर्मेण: by dharma/righteousness
• धर्मेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण (instrumental)

• एव: alone/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• महात्मा: the great-souled one
• महात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; निर्देश (demonstrative)

• शतरूपा: Śatarūpā
• शतरूपा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शतरूपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (स्त्री-नाम)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (also/even)

• अजायत: was born/came into being
• अजायत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist/Imperfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: tapas-generated potency influencing the cosmic regions (divam āvṛtya)

Characters & Entities

• Dharma

FAQs

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

It highlights that intense tapas gains vast spiritual potency, yet dharma is the governing principle that shapes manifestation and rebirth; in Shaiva understanding, disciplined righteousness prepares the soul (paśu) to receive Shiva’s grace and move toward liberation.

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

The verse underscores tapas and dharma as supports for Saguna Shiva worship—regular, righteous observance strengthens devotion and concentrates the mind, making Linga-upasana fruitful and fit for receiving Shiva’s anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is sustained vrata/tapas with dharmic conduct—daily Shiva japa (e.g., the Panchakshara), simple Linga-puja with purity, and self-restraint—so that spiritual power does not become egoic but remains aligned with dharma.