Shloka 7

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

घनतोयात्मकं तत्र मण्डलं शशिनः स्मृतम् घनतेजोमयं शुक्लं मण्डलं भास्करस्य तु

Transliteration

ghanatoyātmakaṃ tatra maṇḍalaṃ śaśinaḥ smṛtam ghanatejomayaṃ śuklaṃ maṇḍalaṃ bhāskarasya tu

Translation

There, the lunar orb (Śaśin) is taught to be of the nature of condensed water; but the solar orb (Bhāskara) is a bright, white sphere made of concentrated radiance. Thus the Purāṇa distinguishes the Moon’s cooling, nourishing principle from the Sun’s blazing, illuminating power—both functioning within Śiva’s cosmic order that binds and guides the paśu (embodied soul) toward right discernment.

Word by Word

• घन (ghana): dense, compact

• तोयात्मकम् (toya-ātmakam): having the nature of water

• तत्र (tatra): there, in that context

• मण्डलम् (maṇḍalam): orb, sphere, disc

• शशिनः (śaśinaḥ): of the Moon

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/declared

• घनतेजोमयम् (ghana-tejo-mayam): composed of dense radiance, full of concentrated light

• शुक्लम् (śuklam): bright, white, luminous

• भास्करस्य (bhāskarasya): of the Sun

• तु (tu): but, indeed

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Chandra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)

FAQs

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

It frames Sun and Moon as regulated cosmic powers within Śiva’s ordinance (niyati), encouraging the devotee to see all luminaries as instruments of Pati (Śiva), not independent absolutes—supporting a theistic, Linga-centered worldview.

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

By distinguishing lunar coolness (water-nature) and solar radiance (light-nature), it implies a higher governing principle that harmonizes opposites; in Shaiva Siddhanta, that supreme regulator is Pati—Śiva—who orders the tattvas so the paśu may gain viveka (discriminative insight).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical takeaway is contemplative alignment (dhyāna) on Śiva as the Lord of both cooling soma and blazing tejas—supporting Pāśupata-style inner discipline where one transcends dualities (heat/cool, light/moisture) by centering awareness on the Linga as the stable axis.