Shloka 55

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

सुकुमारी कुमारी च नलिनी वेणुका तथा । इक्षुश्च रेणुका चैव गभस्तिस्सप्तमी तथा

Transliteration

sukumārī kumārī ca nalinī veṇukā tathā | ikṣuśca reṇukā caiva gabhastissaptamī tathā

Translation

તે સુકુમારી, કુમારી, નલિની અને વેણુકા તરીકે પ્રસિદ્ધ છે. તે ઇક્ષુ, રેણુકા તથા ગભસ્તી—આ તેનું સાતમું નામ પણ કહેવાય છે.

Word by Word

sukumārīSukumārī (name)

kumārīKumārī (name)

caand

nalinīNalinī (name)

veṇukāVeṇukā (name)

tathāalso/likewise

ikṣuḥIkṣu (name)

caand

reṇukāReṇukā (name)

caand

evaindeed

gabhastiḥGabhasti (name)

saptamīSaptamī (name)

tathāalso/likewise

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse is a nāma-list (epithets) describing a feminine principle (‘She is…’). It is not a Jyotirliṅga passage.

Significance: Recitation of divine names functions as smaraṇa and stuti, cultivating bhakti and inner refinement; in Siddhānta terms, such devotion supports purification (mala-kṣaya) preparing the paśu for Śiva’s grace.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: sukumārī kumārī ca nalinī veṇukā tathā | ikṣuśca reṇukā caiva gabhastissaptamī tathā

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

Parvati

Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse offers a garland of Devī’s epithets that contemplate her tenderness, purity, beauty, sweetness, subtlety, and radiance—qualities through which Śakti makes the grace of Śiva accessible to bound souls (paśu), guiding them toward purification and liberation.

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

In Saguna worship, Śiva is adored together with Śakti (Umā). These names train the mind to perceive the Divine Presence as compassionate and luminous; such remembrance supports Linga-worship by stabilizing devotion (bhakti) and inner reverence rather than mere external ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use these names as nāma-japa (repetition of epithets) before or after Linga-pūjā—optionally alongside the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to cultivate a soft, radiant, and focused mind fit for meditation and devotion.