Shloka 30

Bhūtavana–Kailāsa–Mandākinī–Rudrapurī: Śiva’s Jeweled Abodes and Perpetual Worship

Devanagari script

क्रीडते सगणः साम्बस् तच्छिवालयम् उच्यते एवं शतसहस्राणि शर्वस्यायतनानि तु

Transliteration

krīḍate sagaṇaḥ sāmbas tacchivālayam ucyate evaṃ śatasahasrāṇi śarvasyāyatanāni tu

Translation

凡萨姆巴（Sāmba，即与圣力Śakti合一之湿婆）与其众伽那嬉游之处，皆称为“湿婆殿”（śivālaya）。如是，舍尔瓦（Śarva，主湿婆）的圣所多至数十万。

Word by Word

• क्रीडते: sports, plays

• सगणः: together with the gaṇas (attendants)

• साम्बस्: Sāmba, Śiva with Ambā (Śakti)

• तत्: that

• शिवालयम्: Śiva’s abode/temple

• उच्यते: is called

• एवम्: thus

• शतसहस्राणि: hundreds of thousands

• शर्वस्य: of Śarva (Śiva)

• आयतनानि: abodes, sanctuaries

• तु: indeed

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti (Ambā/Umā)
• Ganas
• Śarva

FAQs

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

It defines a śivālaya as any sanctified space where Śiva, with His gaṇas and Śakti (Sāmba), is present—supporting the Shaiva view that Linga/temple worship is grounded in the living presence (sannidhya) of Pati, not merely in architecture.

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

Śiva is presented as Pati (Lord) who is inseparable from Śakti (Sāmba) and attended by gaṇas, indicating His sovereignty and immanence—He pervades many āyatanas while remaining the one supreme Lord beyond pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It implicitly elevates kṣetra-sevā and śivālaya-upāsanā (temple-centered devotion and worship) as a valid Shaiva sādhanā; the verse points to pilgrimage and Linga/temple worship as means for the pashu (soul) to approach Pati through sacred presence.