Shloka 50

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

गौरी कुमुद्वती चैव सन्ध्या रात्रिर्मनोजवा । शांतिश्च पुंडरीका च याः पिबन्ति पयश्शुभम्

Transliteration

gaurī kumudvatī caiva sandhyā rātrirmanojavā | śāṃtiśca puṃḍarīkā ca yāḥ pibanti payaśśubham

Translation

គោរី កុមុទ្វតី សន្ធ្យា រាត្រី មនោជវា សាន្តិ និង ពុណ្ឌរីកា—ព្រះមាតាទាំងនេះ ផឹកទឹកដោះដ៏មង្គល ដើម្បីចូលរួម និងបរិសុទ្ធពិធីសក្ការៈដល់ ព្រះសិវៈ និង អុមា។

Word by Word

गौरीGaurī (name of a river)

कुमुद्वतीKumudvatī (name)

चand

एवindeed / also

सन्ध्याSandhyā (name)

रात्रिःRātri (Night; name)

मनोजवाManojavā (swift as mind; name)

शान्तिःŚānti (Peace; name)

चand

पुण्डरीकाPuṇḍarīkā (name)

चand

याःwho (those which)

पिबन्तिdrink

पयःwater / milk-like water

शुभम्auspicious / pure

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-saṃhitā account to the sages, consistent with Purāṇic dialogue flow)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse names Gaurī among a septet of feminine figures associated with auspicious milk; it functions as a local cosmographic/ritual tableau rather than a Jyotirliṅga māhātmya.

Significance: Evokes purity and auspiciousness of milk as a sanctifying substance; supports the idea of śiva-bhakti yielding kṣema and grace.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights how sacred offerings (like pure milk) are shared within the divine sphere, symbolizing that devotional substances become sanctified and supportive of peace (Śānti) and auspiciousness when connected to Śiva-Umā worship.

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

Milk is a classic upacāra in Saguna worship—especially in abhiṣeka to the Śiva-liṅga—signifying purification, nourishment of devotion, and reverent participation in Śiva’s manifest presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Offer pure milk in Śiva-pūjā/abhiṣeka with a steady mind, ideally alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and contemplation of Śiva-Umā as the source of peace and auspiciousness.