Shloka 84

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

अप्सराश्चन्द्रभामाख्या नृत्यन्ती निजभावतः । सदेहा कोकिलालापा लिंगमध्ये लयं गता

Transliteration

apsarāścandrabhāmākhyā nṛtyantī nijabhāvataḥ | sadehā kokilālāpā liṃgamadhye layaṃ gatā

Translation

Isang Apsarā na nagngangalang Candrabhā, na sumasayaw sa likás na pagkalugod—taglay ang kanyang katawan at tinig na matamis na gaya ng kokila—ay nalusaw at naglaho sa mismong gitna ng Liṅga.

Word by Word

• अप्सराः: Apsarases (celestial nymphs)
• अप्सराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• चन्द्रभामा-आख्या: named Candrabhāmā
• चन्द्रभामा-आख्या: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्रभामा-आख्या (प्रातिपदिक; चन्द्रभामा + आख्या)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘चन्द्रभामा इति आख्या यस्याः’ = named Candrabhāmā; अप्सरायाः (एकवचन-निर्देश) विशेषण

• नृत्यन्ती: dancing
• नृत्यन्ती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नृत् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present active participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• निजभावतः: by her own nature / naturally
• निजभावतः: Hetu/Prakāra (हेतु/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निज-भाव (प्रातिपदिक; निज + भाव)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Ablatival adverb): ‘from/according to one’s own nature’

• सदेहा: with her body (bodily)
• सदेहा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-देह (प्रातिपदिक; स + देह)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-रहित ‘स’ उपसर्गार्थ: ‘with body’; अप्सरायाः विशेषण

• कोकिलालापा: having cuckoo-like song
• कोकिलालापा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोकिल-आलाप (प्रातिपदिक; कोकिल + आलाप)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘कोकिलस्य आलापः’ = cuckoo-like song; अप्सरायाः विशेषण

• लिङ्गमध्ये: in the middle of the liṅga
• लिङ्गमध्ये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग-मध्य (प्रातिपदिक; लिङ्ग + मध्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘लिङ्गस्य मध्ये’ = in the middle of the liṅga

• लयम्: dissolution/absorption
• लयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• गता: went/attained
• गता: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तरि: ‘having gone/attained’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The imagery of merging ‘into the midst of the Liṅga’ evokes liṅga as the axis of dissolution (laya) and transcendence; however, no specific Jyotirliṅga site is identified in this verse.

Significance: Teaches liṅga as the locus of laya—absorption of individuality into Śiva; inspires contemplative liṅga-dhyāna as a path from aesthetic rapture to spiritual dissolution.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: laya (mystic dissolution/absorption)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga
• Candrabhā (Apsarā)

FAQs

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

It portrays laya—complete inward dissolution—where even refined celestial beauty and artistry culminate in merging into Shiva’s Liṅga, symbolizing the soul’s surrender to Pati beyond ego and form.

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

The Liṅga is presented as the living locus of Saguna Shiva’s grace, where devotion and concentrated absorption can culminate in laya—merging one’s limited identity into Shiva’s presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Liṅga-dhyāna (steady meditation on the Liṅga) with mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—aiming for one-pointed absorption (samādhāna) and inner dissolution of distractions.