Shloka 3

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

मार्कण्डेय उवाच सार्वभौमो महातेजाः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः उत्तानपादो राजा वै पालयामास मेदिनीम्

Transliteration

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca sārvabhaumo mahātejāḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ uttānapādo rājā vai pālayāmāsa medinīm

Translation

మార్కండేయుడు పలికెను—ఉత్తానపాదుడు అనే రాజు సార్వభౌముడు, మహాతేజస్సు కలవాడు, ఆయుధధారులలో శ్రేష్ఠుడు; అతడే భూమిని పరిరక్షించి పాలించెను.

Word by Word

• मार्कण्डेय उवाच: Mārkaṇḍeya said

• सार्वभौमः: universal sovereign/emperor

• महातेजाः: of great radiance and spiritual-royal power

• सर्वशस्त्रभृताम्: among all weapon-bearers/warriors

• वरः: the best, foremost

• उत्तानपादः: Uttānapāda (name of the king)

• राजा: king

• वै: indeed, certainly

• पालयामास: protected, ruled, maintained

• मेदिनीम्: the earth, the realm (Bhūmi).

Speaker

Markandeya

Characters & Entities

• Markandeya
• Uttanapada

FAQs

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

It establishes a dharmic royal setting—stable protection of the earth—within which Shiva-bhakti and later Linga-oriented narratives can unfold; righteous governance supports conditions for worship, vows, and temple/linga installation.

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

Indirectly: it contrasts worldly sovereignty with the higher Shaiva principle—Pati (Shiva) as the true universal Lord—while the king is a temporal guardian whose splendor and authority are sustained by dharma under the supreme order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific puja-vidhi or Pāśupata Yoga method is stated; the verse foregrounds rāja-dharma (protective rule), which in Shaiva framing becomes a supportive discipline for sustaining dharma and enabling devotional and ritual life.