Shloka 9

भुवनकोशस्वभाववर्णनम् — सप्तद्वीप-पर्वत-लोकविन्यासः तथा यक्ष-उमा-प्रकाशः

Devanagari script

सप्तमो मन्दरः श्रीमान् महादेवनिकेतनम् मन्दा इति ह्यपां नाम मन्दरो धारणाद् अपाम्

Transliteration

saptamo mandaraḥ śrīmān mahādevaniketanam mandā iti hyapāṃ nāma mandaro dhāraṇād apām

Translation

Yang ketujuh ialah Gunung Mandara yang mulia, kediaman Mahādeva. Oleh sebab “mandā” ialah nama bagi air, ia disebut Mandara kerana ia menanggung dan menyokong air-air itu.

Word by Word

• सप्तमः: the seventh

• मन्दरः: Mandara (mountain)

• श्रीमान्: splendid, illustrious

• महादेवनिकेतनम्: abode/dwelling of Mahādeva

• मन्दा: Mandā

• इति: thus

• हि: indeed

• अपाम्: of the waters

• नाम: a name

• मन्दरः: Mandara

• धारणात्: because of bearing/supporting

• अपाम्: the waters

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahadeva
• Mandara

FAQs

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

It identifies Mandara as a Mahādeva-niketana (Shiva’s abode), grounding Linga worship in sacred geography where the devotee (pashu) approaches Pati through holy kṣetras and tirthas.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the sustaining, sanctifying presence: Mahādeva abides where the cosmic order is upheld—here symbolized by the mountain that “supports the waters,” reflecting Shiva as the stable ground of manifestation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tīrtha-sevā and kṣetra-smaraṇa are suggested: pilgrimage, bathing (āpaḥ-śuddhi), and Shiva-remembrance at Mahādeva’s abodes—supportive disciplines aligned with Pāśupata purification of pasha (bondage).