Shloka 23

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

जजाप मन्त्रमनिशम् अजस्रं स पुनः पुनः वेताला राक्षसा घोराः सिंहाद्याश् च महामृगाः

Transliteration

jajāpa mantramaniśam ajasraṃ sa punaḥ punaḥ vetālā rākṣasā ghorāḥ siṃhādyāś ca mahāmṛgāḥ

Translation

He performed unbroken japa of the mantra—unceasingly, again and again, without pause. Then dreadful vetālas and rākṣasas, and great beasts—lions and the like—appeared as terrifying impediments; yet before steadfast mantra-practice they are rendered powerless.

Word by Word

• जजाप: he muttered/recited (japa)

• मन्त्रम्: the mantra

• अनिशम्: continually, without pause

• अजस्रम्: unceasingly

• सः: he

• पुनः पुनः: again and again

• वेतालाः: vetālas (ghoulish spirits)

• राक्षसाः: rākṣasas (demonic beings)

• घोराः: dreadful, terrifying

• सिंहाद्याः: lions and others

• च: and

• महामृगाः: great beasts/wild animals

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vetalas
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that unwavering mantra-japa is a core limb of Linga-centered sadhana: steadfast remembrance of Pati (Shiva) dissolves vighnas—fear, hostile forces, and inner agitation—that obstruct puja and dhyana.

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

By implying that terrifying beings become ineffective before sustained mantra, the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the sovereign consciousness whose mantra-shakti subdues pasha-like disturbances and restores the pashu (the bound soul) to steadiness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ajasra-anisha mantra-japa—continuous repetition as a Pashupata-oriented discipline for vighna-nivarana (removal of obstacles) and stabilization of mind for higher Shaiva meditation.