Shloka 4
Bhu-maṇḍala-varṇanam
Description of the Earth-Maṇḍala, the Seven Continents, and Meru
तस्यापि मेरुः कालेयमध्ये कनकपर्वतः । प्रविष्टः षोडशाधस्ताद्योजनैस्तस्य चोच्छ्रयः
tasyāpi meruḥ kāleyamadhye kanakaparvataḥ | praviṣṭaḥ ṣoḍaśādhastādyojanaistasya cocchrayaḥ
ಆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಕನಕಪರ್ವತ’ವೆಂದು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧನಾದ ಮೇರುಪರ್ವತವು ಹದಿನಾರು ಯೋಜನಗಳಷ್ಟು ಕೆಳಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರವಿಷ್ಟವಾಗಿದೆ—ಇದೇ ಅದರ ನೆಲದೊಳಗಿನ ಆಳದ ಪ್ರಮಾಣ।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
By describing Meru’s measured depth, the Purana points to a divinely ordered cosmos upheld by Pati (Shiva). For a Shaiva reader, such cosmic structure becomes a contemplative aid—recognizing that the visible world has proportion and law, while Shiva remains the ultimate ground beyond all measures.
Meru functions like an axis (stability, centrality), and the Linga is worshiped as the supreme axis of existence—Saguna for devotion and Nirguna in essence. The verse’s focus on “embedded depth” echoes how the Linga is rooted as the inner support of all worlds, even when only a portion is visible to ordinary perception.
A simple practice is dhyāna on Shiva as the unmoving center (sthāṇu): sit steadily, apply Tripuṇḍra (if part of your tradition), and repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while visualizing the mind becoming as stable and centered as Meru.