Shloka 42
Bhu-maṇḍala-varṇanam
Description of the Earth-Maṇḍala, the Seven Continents, and Meru
स्वस्थाः प्रजा निरातंकास्सर्वदुःखविवर्जिताः । दशद्वादशवर्षाणां सहस्राणि स्थिरायुषः
svasthāḥ prajā nirātaṃkāssarvaduḥkhavivarjitāḥ | daśadvādaśavarṣāṇāṃ sahasrāṇi sthirāyuṣaḥ
El pueblo permanece sano, libre de temor y de ansiedad, e intocado por toda clase de pena. Su vida es firme y prolongada: dura miles de años, contados en ciclos de diez y de doce años.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; continues the depiction of non-Bhārata regions as relatively free from duḥkha with extraordinary longevity.
Significance: Didactic: longevity and comfort are shown as worldly excellences; Śaiva Siddhānta would still classify them within pāśa (māyā/karman) unless leading to Śiva-jñāna.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It depicts the fruit of Shiva’s grace: when Pati (Shiva) is honored and dharma is upheld, the pashu (souls/people) become free from pasha-like afflictions—fear, disease, and sorrow—experiencing steadiness of life and mind.
Such well-being is traditionally described as a result of Saguna Shiva worship—reverence to Shiva through the Linga, vows, and devotion—by which Shiva’s protective and sustaining power manifests in the world as peace and freedom from calamity.
The implied takeaway is regular Shiva-bhakti: daily remembrance of Shiva with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with simple Shaiva observances such as Bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and disciplined conduct that reduces fear and sorrow.