Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

प्राच्यालोक्याभिवन्द्येशां गायत्रीं वेदमातरम् कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा प्रार्थयेद्भास्करं तथा

Transliteration

prācyālokyābhivandyeśāṃ gāyatrīṃ vedamātaram kṛtāñjalipuṭo bhūtvā prārthayedbhāskaraṃ tathā

Translation

Facing east, one should bow to the revered Gāyatrī, the Mother of the Vedas. Then, with hands joined in añjali, one should likewise pray to Bhāskara (the Sun), as part of the disciplined observance that purifies the paśu and prepares it for Śiva-worship.

Word by Word

• प्राच्य-आलोक्य: having looked toward the east / facing east

• अभिवन्द्य: having saluted, bowed to

• एषाम्: to her/that (revered one)

• गायत्रीम्: Gāyatrī

• वेद-मातरम्: Mother of the Vedas

• कृत-अञ्जलि-पुटः: one who has made the hollow of joined palms (añjali)

• भूत्वा: having become/assuming (that posture)

• प्रार्थयेत्: should pray

• भास्करम्: Bhāskara, the Sun

• तथा: likewise/then, in that manner

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri
• Bhaskara (Surya)

FAQs

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

It establishes the pūrva-aṅga (preliminary discipline): facing east, honoring Gāyatrī and praying to the Sun as a purification rite that prepares the practitioner for Śiva-liṅga pūjā.

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

By prescribing inner and outer purification before worship, it implies Śiva as Pati—the supremely pure Lord—approached by a paśu through disciplined, sattva-enhancing observances that loosen pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The morning Sandhyā-style rite: east-facing orientation, Gāyatrī-vandana, and Sūrya-prārthanā with añjali—used as a preparatory practice aligned with Shaiva pūjā-vidhi.