Shloka 17

सृष्टिविस्तारप्रश्नः (Sṛṣṭi-vistāra-praśnaḥ) — The Detailed Inquiry into Creation

Devanagari script

ददौ स दश धर्माय कश्यपाय त्रयोदश । सप्तविंशति सोमाय चतस्रोऽरिष्टनेमिने

Transliteration

dadau sa daśa dharmāya kaśyapāya trayodaśa | saptaviṃśati somāya catasro'riṣṭanemine

Translation

He gave ten (daughters) to Dharma, thirteen to Kaśyapa, twenty-seven to Soma, and four to Ariṣṭanemi.

Word by Word

• ददौ: gave
• ददौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

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

• दश: ten
• दश: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; (अत्र) द्वितीया, बहुवचनार्थे; 'कन्याः' (अनुक्त) इति कर्मपदस्य संख्या

• धर्माय: to Dharma
• धर्माय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• कश्यपाय: to Kaśyapa
• कश्यपाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कश्यप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

• त्रयोदश: thirteen
• त्रयोदश: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रयोदश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; (अत्र) द्वितीया, बहुवचनार्थे; 'कन्याः' (अनुक्त) इति कर्मपदस्य संख्या

• सप्तविंशति: twenty-seven
• सप्तविंशति: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्तविंशति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; (अत्र) द्वितीया, बहुवचनार्थे; 'कन्याः' (अनुक्त) इति कर्मपदस्य संख्या

• सोमाय: to Soma
• सोमाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

• चतस्रः: four
• चतस्रः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतस्/चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक; 'कन्याः' (अनुक्त) इति कर्मपदस्य संख्या

• अरिष्टनेमिने: to Ariṣṭanemi
• अरिष्टनेमिने: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरिष्टनेमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (कर्मधारयवत् नाम); पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Kashyapa
• Soma
• Arishtanemi

FAQs

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

It shows how cosmic order (dharma) is maintained through ordained relationships and duties; in Shaiva understanding, such worldly structuring ultimately supports the soul’s gradual maturation toward Shiva (Pati) and liberation.

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

Though genealogical, it frames the moral and ritual universe in which Shiva-worship operates: householders and kings uphold dharma, perform rites, and then turn that purified life toward Saguna Shiva devotion, culminating in grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is dharma-based living—daily worship with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and disciplined conduct—so devotion becomes steady and fit for Shiva’s grace.