Shloka 9

स्वायम्भुव-मन्वन्तर-वंशवर्णनम्

Genealogy of Svāyambhuva Manu and the Dhruva Episode

Devanagari script

ध्रुवो वर्षसहस्राणि त्रीणि दिव्यानि कानने । तपस्तेपे स बालस्तु प्रार्थयन्स्थानमव्ययम्

Transliteration

dhruvo varṣasahasrāṇi trīṇi divyāni kānane | tapastepe sa bālastu prārthayansthānamavyayam

Translation

In the forest, the boy Dhruva performed austerities for three thousand divine years, praying for an imperishable station—an enduring, unfailing state.

Word by Word

• ध्रुवः: Dhruva
• ध्रुवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्रुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• वर्ष-सहस्राणि: thousands of years
• वर्ष-सहस्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'वर्षाणां सहस्राणि'

• त्रीणि: three
• त्रीणि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); संख्याविशेषण (numeral adjective)

• दिव्यानि: divine
• दिव्यानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• कानने: in the forest
• कानने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कानन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• तपः: austerity, penance
• तपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• तेपे: performed (did penance)
• तेपे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• बालः: the boy
• बालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ (contrast/emphasis)

• प्रार्थयन्: requesting
• प्रार्थयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रार्थय् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present active participle/शतृ), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन; परस्मैपद-प्रयोग

• स्थानम्: a position, abode
• स्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• अव्ययम्: imperishable, unchanging
• अव्ययम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva

FAQs

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

It presents steadfast tapas as a Shaiva path of inner purification: by fixing the mind on the Highest (Pati), the limited soul (paśu) seeks an “avyaya” state—freedom from decay, instability, and worldly reversal.

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

Dhruva’s prayer for an imperishable station reflects the Saguna approach—single-pointed devotion and discipline directed to the Lord who grants steady grace; in Shiva Purana practice this is commonly expressed through Linga-upasana supported by mantra and austerity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is sustained tapas with focused prayer: daily japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namah Shivaya”), simple observances, and meditative steadiness—performed with restraint and sincerity—aimed at an enduring spiritual attainment.