Shloka 3

Adhyaya 52: सोमाधारः, पुण्योदानदी, मेरुप्रदक्षिणा, जम्बूद्वीपनववर्षवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

आकाशांभोनिधिर् यो ऽसौ सोम इत्यभिधीयते आधारः सर्वभूतानां देवानाममृताकरः

Transliteration

ākāśāṃbhonidhir yo 'sau soma ityabhidhīyate ādhāraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ devānāmamṛtākaraḥ

Translation

આકાશમાં જળસમુદ્રરૂપ જે છે, તે ‘સોમ’ કહેવાય છે. તે સર્વભૂતોનો આધાર અને દેવતાઓ માટે અમૃતનો આકારક સ્ત્રોત છે।

Word by Word

• ākāśa: sky/ether

• ambhonidhiḥ: ocean, reservoir of waters

• yaḥ: who

• asau: that (well-known one)

• somaḥ: Soma (Moon/nectar principle)

• iti: thus

• abhidhīyate: is called, is designated

• ādhāraḥ: support, substratum

• sarva-bhūtānām: of all beings

• devānām: of the gods (Devas)

• amṛta-ākaraḥ: source/mine of amṛta, maker of immortality

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Soma as a cosmic support and a source of amṛta; in Linga-pūjā this aligns with offering and contemplating the life-sustaining, grace-bestowing power of Pati that nourishes all beings.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By presenting Soma as the universal ādhāra (substratum) and amṛta-source, the verse points to Shiva-tattva as the sustaining ground of pashus (souls) and the giver of liberating vitality beyond decay.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports dhyāna on Soma/amṛta during worship—internalizing nectar-like steadiness in Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā, and ritually honoring the sustaining principle through pure offerings (jala/abhisheka) to the Linga.