Shloka 59

Devanagari script

क्षीरोदेनावृतस्सोऽपि द्विगुणेन समंततः । क्षीराब्धिस्सर्वतो व्यास पुष्कराख्येन संवृतः

Transliteration

kṣīrodenāvṛtasso'pi dviguṇena samaṃtataḥ | kṣīrābdhissarvato vyāsa puṣkarākhyena saṃvṛtaḥ

Translation

ஓ வ்யாசரே! அந்தப் பகுதியும் எல்லாத் திசைகளிலும் இருமடங்கு விரிந்த க்ஷீரோதம் (பால்கடல்) சூழ்ந்துள்ளது; மேலும் அந்தப் பால்கடலும் அனைத்துப் புறங்களிலும் ‘புஷ்கர’ எனப்படும் பரப்பால் வளையப்பட்டுள்ளது।

Word by Word

क्षीरोदेनby the milk-ocean/waters of milk

आवृतःcovered

सःthat (island)

अपिalso

द्विगुणेनby a double (ring/extent)

समन्ततःon all sides

क्षीराब्धिःthe milk-ocean

सर्वतःeverywhere

व्यासO Vyāsa

पुष्कराख्येनcalled ‘Puṣkara’

संवृतःis surrounded

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Vyasa

Suta Goswami

FAQs

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

It presents the ordered, layered structure of the cosmos, implying that creation is not random but sustained within Shiva’s governance (Pati). For the seeker, such cosmology supports viveka—seeing the world as bounded and dependent—turning the mind toward liberation rather than attachment.

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

By describing the universe as a structured enclosure of realms, the text encourages Saguna contemplation: the Linga is worshiped as the stable axis and support of all worlds, a tangible focus through which the finite mind approaches the infinite Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna with the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), visualizing the cosmos as resting in Shiva’s presence; this can be paired with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as reminders of detachment and inner steadiness.