Shloka 24
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमावुपतस्थेऽर्हणाञ्जलि: । वृषहंससुपर्णस्थान् स्वै: स्वैश्चिह्नैश्च चिह्नितान् ॥ २४ ॥
praṇamya daṇḍavad bhūmāv upatasthe ’rhaṇāñjaliḥ vṛṣa-haṁsa-suparṇa-sthān svaiḥ svaiś cihnaiś ca cihnitān
ثم سجد الحكيم على الأرض سجودًا تامًّا كالعصا، وضمّ كفّيه تقدمةً، وعبد الآلهة الثلاثة الجالسين على الثور والبجعة وغارودا، المميَّزين بشعائرهم.
Daṇḍa means “a long rod,” and vat means “like.” Before a superior, one has to fall down on the ground just like a stick, and this sort of offering of respect is called daṇḍavat. Atri Ṛṣi offered his respect to the three deities in that way. They were identified by their different carriers and different symbolic representations. In that connection it is stated here that Lord Viṣṇu was sitting on Garuḍa, a big aquiline bird, and was carrying in His hand a disc, Brahmā was sitting on a swan and had in his hand kuśa grass, and Lord Śiva was sitting on a bull and carrying in his hand a small drum called a ḍamaru. Atri Ṛṣi recognized them by their symbolic representations and different carriers, and thus he offered them prayers and respects.
FAQs
This verse depicts daṇḍavat praṇāma—offering full prostrated obeisances on the ground—as an expression of humility and devotion when approaching exalted divine personalities.
The verse uses vāhanas and distinctive emblems to identify divine personalities and highlight their majesty, making the scene of reverent approach and worship vivid and theologically significant.
Approach sacred persons, deities, and spiritual practices with humility—offer respectful obeisances, cultivate a reverent mood (añjali), and recognize the sacred through its signs, teachings, and disciplined conduct.