Shloka 25

Diter Vratabhaṅga and Indra’s Intervention

Diti–Kaśyapa Narrative

Devanagari script

शैलानां हिमवन्तं च नदीनामथ सागरम् । मृगाणामथ शार्दूलं गोवृषं तु गवामपि

Transliteration

śailānāṃ himavantaṃ ca nadīnāmatha sāgaram | mṛgāṇāmatha śārdūlaṃ govṛṣaṃ tu gavāmapi

Translation

Among mountains He set Himavān as the foremost; among rivers, the Ocean as the final reservoir. Among beasts, the tiger is supreme; and among cattle too, the bull is pre-eminent.

Word by Word

• शैलानाम्: of mountains
• शैलानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• हिमवन्तम्: Himavat (the Himalaya)
• हिमवन्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिमवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय

• नदीनाम्: of rivers
• नदीनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अथ: then, and
• अथ: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनन्तर/प्रसङ्ग (then/and also)

• सागरम्: ocean
• सागरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मृगाणाम्: of animals/deer
• मृगाणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अथ: then, and
• अथ: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनन्तर/प्रसङ्ग

• शार्दूलम्: tiger
• शार्दूलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शार्दूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• गोवृषम्: bull (of cows)
• गोवृषम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो + वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (गोवृषः = गोषु वृषः/गवां वृषः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/अवधारण (but/indeed)

• गवाम्: of cows
• गवाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/अपि-कार (also/even)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s teaching to the sages, presenting a hierarchy of eminence as part of Shiva’s ordered cosmos)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Himavan
• Ocean
• Tiger
• Bull

FAQs

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

It points to a dharmic hierarchy within creation—certain beings embody excellence in their class—implying an ordered universe ultimately governed by Pati (Shiva), whose will sustains harmony and right proportion.

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

By recognizing graded excellence in nature, the devotee is led from visible symbols of supremacy to the supreme Saguna Lord worshipped in the Linga—Shiva as the source who empowers all eminence and order.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplate Shiva as the inner ruler (antaryāmin) behind all natural greatness; in practice, combine this reflection with japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to align the mind with dharma and stability.