Shloka 15

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

चत्वारि भारते वर्षे युगान्यासन्महामुने । कृतादीनि न चान्येषु द्वीपेषु प्रभवंति हि

Transliteration

catvāri bhārate varṣe yugānyāsanmahāmune | kṛtādīni na cānyeṣu dvīpeṣu prabhavaṃti hi

Translation

மகாமுனியே! பாரதவர்ஷத்திலேயே க்ருதம் முதலிய நான்கு யுகங்கள் உள்ளன; பிற தீவுகளில் அவை தோன்றுவதில்லை.

Word by Word

• चत्वारि: four
• चत्वारि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषण—युगानि

• भारते: in Bhārata (India)
• भारते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• वर्षे: in the land/region (varṣa)
• वर्षे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• युगानि: ages (yugas)
• युगानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• आसन्: were
• आसन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• महामुने: O great sage
• महामुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; “महान् मुनिः” कर्मधारय

• कृत-आदीनि: (the yugas) beginning with Kṛta
• कृत-आदीनि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; युग-विशेषणार्थे—“Kṛta etc.”

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• अन्येषु: in other
• अन्येषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; विशेषण—द्वीपेषु

• द्वीपेषु: in (other) continents/islands
• द्वीपेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• प्रभवन्ति: arise/occur
• प्रभवन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रभू/भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात—हेतौ/निश्चये

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhārata-varṣa

FAQs

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

It highlights Bhārata-varṣa as the primary field where karmic time (the four Yugas) unfolds in a way that enables disciplined sādhana—so the soul (paśu) can turn toward Pati (Shiva) and seek release from bondage (pāśa).

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

Since the Yugas regulate the rise and decline of dharma and practice, Bhārata-varṣa is presented as the privileged realm where accessible forms of Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, and temple rites—can be performed in accordance with yuga-appropriate discipline.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to engage in steady Shiva-upāsanā suited to the age—Pañcākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Linga-abhisheka, and wearing vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) with devotion—using the human opportunity in Bhārata-varṣa for liberation-oriented practice.