Shloka 10

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

तर्पयेद्विधिना पश्चात् प्राङ्मुखो वा ह्युदङ्मुखः ध्यात्वा स्वरूपं तत्तत्त्वम् अभिवन्द्य यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

tarpayedvidhinā paścāt prāṅmukho vā hyudaṅmukhaḥ dhyātvā svarūpaṃ tattattvam abhivandya yathākramam

Translation

Afterwards, facing either the east or the north, one should duly perform tarpaṇa (ritual libations). Having meditated upon His essential form as the very principle of Reality (Śiva-tattva), one should then offer reverent salutations in the proper sequence.

Word by Word

• तर्पयेत्: should satisfy/offer libations (tarpaṇa)

• विधिना: according to rule/ritual injunction

• पश्चात्: afterwards

• प्राङ्मुखः: facing east

• वा: or

• हि: indeed

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated

• स्वरूपम्: essential form/intrinsic nature

• तत्-तत्त्वम्: that very Reality-principle (Śiva-tattva)

• अभिवन्द्य: having saluted/revered

• यथाक्रमम्: in due order/sequence

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja procedure to the Sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It places tarpaṇa and tattva-dhyāna as essential concluding acts of Linga-pūjā—ritual offering joined with inner recognition of Śiva as Pati, the supreme Reality.

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

Śiva is indicated as “that Reality-principle” (tat-tattva), to be realized through meditation on His svarūpa—implying the transcendent Pati beyond pasha (bondage) and the ground of the pashu’s liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, tarpaṇa performed facing east or north; yogically, svarūpa-dhyāna on Śiva-tattva followed by ordered salutations—aligning external pūjā with inward Pāśupata-oriented contemplation.