Shloka 31

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

जपन् स वासुदेवेति ध्रुवस्तस्थौ महाद्युतिः शङ्खप्रान्तेन गोविन्दः पस्पर्शास्यं हि तस्य वै

Transliteration

japan sa vāsudeveti dhruvastasthau mahādyutiḥ śaṅkhaprāntena govindaḥ pasparśāsyaṃ hi tasya vai

Translation

Dhruva—radiant with great splendor—stood absorbed in the mantra “Vāsudeva.” Govinda touched Dhruva’s mouth with the tip of His conch, bestowing sanctified speech and the power of realization. In Śaiva Siddhānta terms, this marks the descent of grace (anugraha) by Pati, loosening the paśu’s pāśa-bonds and turning japa into liberating knowledge.

Word by Word

• जपन् (japan): chanting/repeating (japa)

• स (sa): he

• वासुदेवेति (vāsudeva-iti): ‘Vāsudeva’—thus (uttering the name)

• ध्रुवः (dhruvaḥ): Dhruva

• तस्थौ (tasthau): stood/remained

• महाद्युतिः (mahādyutiḥ): of great radiance

• शङ्खप्रान्तेन (śaṅkha-prāntena): with the tip/end of the conch

• गोविन्दः (govindaḥ): Govinda (the Lord)

• पस्पर्श (pasparśa): touched

• आस्यं (āsyaṃ): the mouth/face

• हि (hi): indeed

• तस्य (tasya): of him

• वै (vai): certainly/assuredly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Dhruva

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva principle that liberation-oriented practice is completed by anugraha (divine grace). Just as Dhruva’s japa is sealed by the Lord’s sanctifying touch, Linga-puja is not mere ritual—it is puja plus grace that loosens pasha and awakens the paśu toward Pati.

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

Though the verse names Govinda/Vāsudeva, the Linga Purana’s theological frame supports the non-competitive supremacy of Pati-tattva: the Lord is the dispenser of anugraha who empowers speech, mantra, and knowledge. This function—granting siddhi and removing bondage—is characteristic of Shiva-tattva in Shaiva Siddhanta.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa (name-repetition) is central, and the conch-touch symbolizes initiation-like empowerment (a purificatory bestowal of mantra-śakti). The takeaway aligns with Pashupata discipline: steady japa and devotion culminate in grace that transforms practice into realization.