Shloka 21

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

ध्यायन्सनातनं विष्णुं जपहोमपरायणः इत्युक्तः प्रणिपत्यैनं विश्वामित्रं महायशाः

Transliteration

dhyāyansanātanaṃ viṣṇuṃ japahomaparāyaṇaḥ ityuktaḥ praṇipatyainaṃ viśvāmitraṃ mahāyaśāḥ

Translation

Den ewigen Viṣṇu betrachtend und dem Japa sowie dem Feueropfer (Homa) hingegeben, verneigte sich der Ruhmreiche—nach diesen Worten—vor dem großherzigen Viśvāmitra.

Word by Word

• ध्यायन् (dhyāyan): meditating

• सनातनम् (sanātanam): eternal

• विष्णुम् (viṣṇum): Viṣṇu

• जप (japa): mantra-repetition

• होम (homa): oblation into fire

• परायणः (parāyaṇaḥ): wholly devoted/intent upon

• इति (iti): thus

• उक्तः (uktaḥ): spoken/said

• प्रणिपत्य (praṇipatya): having bowed/prostrated

• एनम् (enam): to him/this one

• विश्वामित्रम् (viśvāmitram): Viśvāmitra

• महायशाः (mahāyaśāḥ): greatly renowned/illustrious.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (outer narration; contextual attribution)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Visvamitra

FAQs

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

It underscores the preparatory disciplines—dhyāna, japa, and homa—that purify the sādhaka before Linga-pūjā, aligning the pashu (soul) toward Pati (the Lord) by weakening pasha (bondage).

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

By presenting devotion to Viṣṇu inside the Linga Purana’s Shaiva framework, it reflects the Purāṇic teaching that the Supreme (Pati) is one reality approached through divine forms—supporting a unity-vision consistent with Shaiva Siddhānta’s insistence on disciplined approach to the Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa and homa, supported by dhyāna—core purificatory limbs that steady the mind and refine intention, serving as a practical foundation for higher Shaiva sādhanā (including Pāśupata-oriented discipline).