Shloka 42

Lokapramāṇa–Grahamaṇḍala–Dhruvaloka-vyavasthā

Cosmic Measures and the Arrangement of the Heavenly Spheres

Devanagari script

शिवलोकोऽद्भुतो व्यास निराधारो मनोहरः । अतिनिर्वचनीयश्च नानावस्तुविराजितः

Transliteration

śivaloko'dbhuto vyāsa nirādhāro manoharaḥ | atinirvacanīyaśca nānāvastuvirājitaḥ

Translation

ஓ வ்யாசரே! சிவலோகம் அதிசயமானது—தன்னிறைவு பெற்றது, ஆதாரமின்றி நிலைபெற்றது, பேரழகுடையது. சொற்களால் முழுதும் வர்ணிக்க இயலாதது; பல தெய்வீகத் தத்துவங்களால் ஒளிர்கிறது.

Word by Word

• शिवलोकः: Śiva’s world (Śivaloka)
• शिवलोकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शिवस्य लोकः)

• अद्भुतः: wonderful
• अद्भुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘शिवलोकः’

• व्यास: O Vyāsa
• व्यास: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; संबोधन

• निराधारः: supportless/without basis
• निराधारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निराधार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘शिवलोकः’

• मनोहरः: charming
• मनोहरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोहर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘शिवलोकः’

• अतिनिर्वचनीयः: utterly indescribable
• अतिनिर्वचनीयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति + निर्वचनीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव (अति + निर्वचनीय) = ‘exceedingly indescribable’; विशेषणं ‘शिवलोकः’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• नानावस्तुविराजितः: adorned with various objects
• नानावस्तुविराजितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक) + विराजित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारयभाव: ‘नानावस्तुभिः विराजितः’ (adorned by various things); विशेषणं ‘शिवलोकः’

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching Vyāsa in the Umāsaṃhitā’s philosophical discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vyasa

FAQs

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

It points to Śiva-loka as a transcendent state of liberation: self-sustained, beyond worldly supports, and ultimately beyond complete verbal description—highlighting Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) and the goal of mokṣa.

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

Though Śiva-loka is described as beyond words (a nirguṇa-oriented emphasis), devotees approach that reality through saguna upāsanā—especially Liṅga worship—using form, mantra, and devotion as accessible means to realize the formless Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditative absorption on Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady dhyāna on the Liṅga is implied as the practical path toward the indescribable Śiva-loka.