Shloka 5

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

बहुलश्चन्द्र इत्येष ह्लादने धातुरुच्यते शुक्लत्वे चामृतत्वे च शीतत्वे च विभाव्यते

Transliteration

bahulaścandra ityeṣa hlādane dhāturucyate śuklatve cāmṛtatve ca śītatve ca vibhāvyate

Translation

‘ബഹുല’ എന്നും ‘ചന്ദ്ര’ എന്നും—ഈ നാമം ‘ഹ്ലാദ’ (ആനന്ദിപ്പിക്കുക) എന്ന ധാതുവിൽ നിന്നു ഉദ്ഭവിച്ചതായി പറയുന്നു. ഇതിന്റെ ഭാവം ശ്വേതത്വം, അമൃതസമ അമരത്വം, ശീതളത്വം എന്നിങ്ങനെ വിവക്ഷിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു।

Word by Word

• बहुलः: Bahula (abundant/full)

• चन्द्रः: Candra (the Moon/Soma)

• इति: thus

• एषः: this (designation)

• ह्लादने: in the sense of gladdening/refreshing

• धातुः: verbal root

• उच्यते: is said/declared

• शुक्लत्वे: in whiteness/brightness

• च: and

• अमृतत्वे: in nectar-ness/immortality-giving nature

• च: and

• शीतत्वे: in coolness

• च: and

• विभाव्यते: is contemplated/understood/recognized

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Chandra
• Soma

FAQs

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

It interprets Soma/Chandra as the principle of cooling, purity, and amṛta-like refreshment—qualities invoked in Linga-puja through cooling offerings and the contemplative remembrance of Shiva’s soothing grace.

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

By highlighting “gladdening,” “whiteness,” and “coolness,” it points to Shiva as Pati whose anugraha (grace) pacifies pāśa (bondage) and brings the pashu (soul) toward clarity, serenity, and life-giving spiritual nectar.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports śīta-upacāra in Shiva-puja (cooling worship such as water/abhisheka and soothing substances) and a yogic focus on inner hlāda—quieting the mind so the soul experiences Shiva’s cooling, nectar-like presence.