Shloka 18

Devanagari script

उत्कलस्योत्कला विप्रा विनताश्वस्य पश्चिमाः । दिक्पूर्वा मुनि शार्दूल गयस्य तु गया स्मृताः

Transliteration

utkalasyotkalā viprā vinatāśvasya paścimāḥ | dikpūrvā muni śārdūla gayasya tu gayā smṛtāḥ

Translation

O best of sages, the learned declare Utkalā to be the eastern quarter of Utkala; the western quarter is known as Vinatāśva; and for the region of Gaya, the eastern quarter is remembered as Gayā.

Word by Word

• utkalasya: of Utkala
• utkalasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: utkala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• utkalāḥ: the Utkalās (people/region)
• utkalāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: utkalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• viprāḥ: Brahmins
• viprāḥ: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vinatāśvasya: of Vinātāśva
• vinatāśvasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinatā (प्रातिपदिक) + aśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष, proper name); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• paścimāḥ: the westerners (western people)
• paścimāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paścima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• dik-pūrvāḥ: the easterners
• dik-pūrvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dik (प्रातिपदिक) + pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (दिक् एव पूर्वा: 'eastern directions/people'); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• muni: O sage
• muni: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन)

• śārdūla: O tiger (best)
• śārdūla: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śārdūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन)

• gayasya: of Gaya
• gayasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• gayāḥ: the Gayās (people/region)
• gayāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gayā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• smṛtāḥ: are called/are known
• smṛtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/kta) used predicatively; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It preserves sacred geography (tīrtha–kṣetra orientation) used in traditional pilgrimage and worship, reminding devotees that dharma includes correct remembrance of holy places connected to Śiva’s sanctifying power.

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

By mapping revered regions and their quarters, it supports tīrtha-based Saguna worship—approaching Śiva through consecrated spaces where Liṅga worship and purificatory rites are traditionally performed.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is tīrtha-smaraṇa (recollection of holy places) before pilgrimage or pūjā—mentally orienting oneself, then performing Śiva-nāma japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī) and simple offerings with purity of direction and intent.