Shloka 11

सोमवर्णनम्

Graha–Ratha–Aśva Varṇana, Dhruva-Nibaddha Gati, Maṇḍala-Pramāṇa, Graha-Arcana

Devanagari script

द्विगुणः सूर्यविस्ताराद् विस्तारः शशिनः स्मृतः तुल्यस्तयोस्तु स्वर्भानुर् भूत्वाधस्तात्प्रसर्पति

Transliteration

dviguṇaḥ sūryavistārād vistāraḥ śaśinaḥ smṛtaḥ tulyastayostu svarbhānur bhūtvādhastātprasarpati

Translation

月轮的广度被忆念为太阳的两倍。而Svarbhānu——其量与彼等相等——在下方潜行，匍匐于其下；由此遮蔽其光，成为日月食之因。

Word by Word

• द्विगुणः: twice

• सूर्य-विस्तारात्: than the Sun’s extent/diameter

• विस्तारः: expanse, measure

• शशिनः: of the Moon

• स्मृतः: is remembered/traditionally stated

• तुल्यः: equal

• तयोः: to those two (Sun and Moon)

• तु: indeed/but

• स्वर्भानुः: Svarbhānu (Rāhu)

• भूत्वा: having become/being

• अधस्तात्: below, beneath

• प्रसर्पति: moves/creeps along

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Chandra
• Svarbhanu
• Rahu

FAQs

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

It frames celestial phenomena as governed by niyati (cosmic ordinance) under Pati (Śiva); for a Liṅga-upāsaka, eclipses and planetary motions become reminders to worship Mahādeva as the inner regulator of all lights.

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

Though Śiva is not named, the verse implies an ordered cosmos where even obscuration (eclipse) occurs within lawful measure; in Shaiva Siddhānta this points to Śiva as Pati—the transcendent yet immanent governor who allows pasha-like coverings without diminishing the Self-luminous Reality.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in the verse; the takeaway is yogic: treat eclipses and cosmic changes as occasions for japa and dhyāna on the Liṅga—recognizing coverings (āvaraṇa) as pasha to be transcended through Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline.