Shloka 9

सोमवर्णनम्

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

Devanagari script

ध्रुवेणाधिष्ठिताश्चैव ध्रुवमेव प्रदक्षिणम् प्रयान्ति चेश्वरं द्रष्टुं मेढीभूतं ध्रुवं दिवि

Transliteration

dhruveṇādhiṣṭhitāścaiva dhruvameva pradakṣiṇam prayānti ceśvaraṃ draṣṭuṃ meḍhībhūtaṃ dhruvaṃ divi

Translation

وقد استقرّت على دْهروفا، فجميع الأنوار تسير في طوافٍ يمينيّ (برَدَكشِنا) حول دْهروفا وحده. وتمضي لتشهد الربّ—دْهروفا في السماء وقد جُعل محورًا كونيًّا ثابتًا، كعمودٍ مركزيّ.

Word by Word

• ध्रुवेण: by/through Dhruva

• अधिष्ठिताः: established, supported

• च एव: and indeed

• ध्रुवम् एव: Dhruva alone

• प्रदक्षिणम्: in rightward circumambulation

• प्रयान्ति: they go, proceed (move)

• च: and

• ईश्वरम्: the Lord (Pati, Shiva as Ishvara)

• द्रष्टुम्: to see, to behold

• मेढीभूतम्: having become a pivot/post, serving as the central stake

• ध्रुवम्: Dhruva (the fixed one, Pole Star)

• दिवि: in heaven

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dhruva

FAQs

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

It frames circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) as a cosmic principle: as the heavens revolve around the fixed Dhruva, devotees revolve around the Linga—the visible sign of the unmoving Pati (Shiva) who supports all motion.

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

Shiva is implied as the steadfast Lord (Pati/Ishvara) who is beheld at the unmoving center—while all changing phenomena orbit around Him, indicating His transcendence and sustaining immanence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pradakṣiṇā is highlighted—ritually as circumambulation of the Linga, and yogically as turning the mind around the fixed inner axis (Dhruva-like steadiness) to realize the Lord beyond pasha (bondage).