Shloka 3

Bhāratavarṣa–Navabheda-Vyavasthā

The Nine Divisions of Bhāratavarṣa and Its Sacred Geography

Devanagari script

यतस्संप्राप्यते पुंभिस्स्वर्गो नरक एव च । भारतस्यापि वर्षस्य नव भेदान्ब्रवीमि ते

Transliteration

yatassaṃprāpyate puṃbhissvargo naraka eva ca | bhāratasyāpi varṣasya nava bhedānbravīmi te

Translation

இதே (கர்ம-தர்ம) காரணமாக மனிதன் ஸ்வர்க்கமோ நரகமோ அடைகிறான். இப்போது பாரதவர்ஷத்தின் ஒன்பது பிரிவுகளையும் உனக்குச் சொல்கிறேன்.

Word by Word

• यतः: from which / whereby
• यतः: हेतु (Cause/Reason)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (सम्बन्ध/हेतु-अर्थे; relative adverb)

• सम्प्राप्यते: is attained
• सम्प्राप्यते: कर्मणि-क्रिया (Passive verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present passive 3rd sg

• पुम्भिः: by men
• पुम्भिः: कर्ता (Agent in passive/कर्तृकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुम्स् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• स्वर्गः: heaven
• स्वर्गः: कर्म (Karma/Object in passive; प्राप्तव्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• नरकः: hell
• नरकः: कर्म (Karma/Object in passive; प्राप्तव्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• एव: indeed / just
• एव: अवधारण (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• भारतस्य: of Bhārata
• भारतस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; Genitive singular

• अपि: also
• अपि: समुच्चय (Additive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-कारार्थक अव्यय (also/even)

• वर्षस्य: of the region/continent (varṣa)
• वर्षस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; Genitive singular

• नव: nine
• नव: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (अव्ययवत् संख्याविशेषण) पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचनानुगुण; numeral adjective qualifying ‘भेदान्’

• भेदान्: divisions
• भेदान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• ब्रवीमि: I tell / I declare
• ब्रवीमि: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present 1st sg

• ते: to you
• ते: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; Dative singular (to you)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Īśāna

FAQs

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

It links human destiny (svarga or naraka) to lived dharma and karma, preparing the listener for a sacred-geography teaching where place and practice are understood as supports for right conduct and Shiva-oriented liberation.

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

By stressing karmic consequence, it implies that Shiva-worship—especially disciplined devotion to Saguna Shiva through Linga-puja—purifies action and intention, turning life toward auspicious results and ultimately toward Shiva’s grace that transcends mere heavenly reward.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to align daily karma with Shiva-dharma: regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-abhiṣeka with a sattvic mind, and wearing rudrākṣa/bhasma as reminders to act without harm and with devotion.