Shloka 18
Puṣkara-dvīpa, Lokāloka, and the Measure of the Brahmāṇḍa
Cosmic Egg
दशोत्तरमथैकैकमण्डावरणसप्तकम् / समन्तात् संस्थितं विप्रा यत्र यान्ति मनीषिणः
daśottaramathaikaikamaṇḍāvaraṇasaptakam / samantāt saṃsthitaṃ viprā yatra yānti manīṣiṇaḥ
แล้วต่อมา โอ้พราหมณ์ทั้งหลาย รอบไข่จักรวาลแต่ละใบมีมณฑลเป็นชั้นล้อมเจ็ดต่อเจ็ด รวมเป็นสิบเจ็ดชุด ตั้งอยู่โดยรอบทุกทิศ—ซึ่งเหล่าปราชญ์ย่อมดำเนินไปด้วยการภาวนาและการจาริกภายใน
Suta (narrator) recounting the Purana’s description to the sages (Shaunaka’s assembly)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
By presenting ordered concentric “enclosures,” the verse points to a contemplative model: the wise move inward through successive coverings—symbolically mirroring the yogic movement from outer layers toward the innermost Self.
The verse emphasizes dhyāna through mandala-structure: progressing step-by-step (āvaraṇa-krama) as a meditative pilgrimage—an approach compatible with Purāṇic yoga where sacred geography becomes a support (ālambana) for concentration.
Indirectly: the Purāṇa’s mandala-based sacred order supports a synthesis where pilgrimage and contemplation lead to the one supreme principle revered through both Shaiva and Vaishnava lenses, rather than treating them as mutually exclusive.