Meaning of a word in Shivanamavalyashtakam

[Ravindra Shivde]

Humble pranaam's to all Advaitins,

The famous hymn to Shiva, शिवनामावल्याष्टकम् composed by Bhagwan Adi Shankara contains this line-

भूताधिप प्रमथनाथ गिरीशचाप

(Some versions write गिरीश and चाप separately. Others write जाप instead of चाप)

In any case what does the word चाप mean? The dictionary meaning is 'a bow' धनुष्य, but it does not fit here.

I shall be obliged if our learned members clear this doubt.

Yours

Dr Ravindra S. Shivde

Shivde Hospital, Old Pandit Colony, Nashik 422002

Mobile: 9823053441 E:Mail- ravis...@gmail.com

[V Subrahmanian]

On Sat, Apr 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM Ravindra Shivde <ravis...@gmail.com> wrote:

Humble pranaam's to all Advaitins,

The famous hymn to Shiva, शिवनामावल्याष्टकम् composed by Bhagwan Adi Shankara contains this line-

भूताधिप प्रमथनाथ गिरीशचाप

(Some versions write गिरीश and चाप separately. Others write जाप instead of चाप)

In any case what does the word चाप mean? The dictionary meaning is 'a bow' धनुष्य, but it does not fit here.

I shall be obliged if our learned members clear this doubt.

The AI generated reply, not certainly opposed to the Purana, etc.:  Mount Meru is the GirIsha, the King of mountains. Sometimes the King of mountains will be the Himalayas. But in this case it is Meru.  The context is Tripura samhara:

In the legend of Shiva's destruction of Tripura, the mountain used as a bow is Mount Meru, and the arrow that destroyed the three cities was Lord Vishnu. The bowstring was the serpent Vasuki, and the arrowhead was Agni, the fire god. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown: 

• Mount Meru as the Bow:

  Mount Meru, the mythical mountain considered the center of the universe, was used as the body of the bow.
• Lord Vishnu as the Arrow:

  Lord Vishnu, one of the primary deities in Hinduism, served as the arrow that pierced and destroyed the three cities.
• Vasuki as the Bowstring:

  The serpent Vasuki, often depicted as a large, multi-headed serpent, was the bowstring of Shiva's bow.
• Agni as the Arrowhead:

  Agni, the fire god, is said to have been the arrowhead that burned the three cities.

This celestial weaponry, with Mount Meru as the bow, Lord Vishnu as the arrow, Vasuki as the bowstring, and Agni as the arrowhead, was used by Shiva to destroy the three cities of Tripura, a feat that earned him the name Tripurantaka (the destroyer of Tripura).  

regards

subbu

Yours

Dr Ravindra S. Shivde

Shivde Hospital, Old Pandit Colony, Nashik 422002

Mobile: 9823053441 E:Mail- ravis...@gmail.com

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[Ravindra Shivde]

Thank you Subbu Sir, Your reply has satisfied me

- Ravindra Shivde

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[H S Chandramouli]

Namaste.

जाप is understood to mean ** muttering prayers / a muttered prayer ?.

Seems to fit in here in the context.

Regards

On Sat, Apr 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM V Subrahmanian <v.subra...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Ravindra Shivde]

Thank you Chandramouli ji,

जाप I found in only one place and it appears to be a misreading. All other versions mention चाप. And Subbuji has explained the meaning of चाप most beautifully as Meru.

- Ravindra Shivde

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[sunil bhattacharjya]

Ravindraji,

गिरीश is a name of Lord Shiva, and   गिरीशचाप may also mean Lord Shiva as the bow.

Best wishes

Sunil KB

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[Ravindra Shivde]

Thank you Sunilji, but why would Lord Shiva be described as a bow? In what context?

Shri Subbu sir's explanation seems to be most appropriate.

Dr Ravindra S. Shivde

Shivde Hospital, Old Pandit Colony, Nashik 422002

Mobile: 9823053441 E:Mail- ravis...@gmail.com

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/advaitin/CAP4HB9_x_BMS5rEj8y7L85-68FRRiB51GeW%3De-6SuzdBuYJD8w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Rohit Amberker]

In addition to all the explanations below, Rudram (Krishna Yajurveda's Taittiriya Samhita)  also has reference to Bow and arrow. Relevant verse and translation below. 

नमस्ते रुद्रमन्यव उतोत इषवे नमः ।
नमस्ते अस्तु धन्वने बाहुभ्यामुत ते नमः ॥ १.१॥

यात इषुः शिवतमा शिवं बभूव ते धनुः ।
शिवा शरव्या या तव तया नो रुद्र मृडय ॥ १.२॥

Salutations to your Ire, Rudhra and also salutations to your arrow.. Salutations to your bow and also to your both arms.  

Bless us with happiness our Lord, With that arrow of thine, which is holy, With that bow of thine, which is begetter of good, With that quiver of thine, which is sweet. 

Thanks 

Rohit

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[sunil bhattacharjya]

Thanks Rohitji,

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