Shloka 158

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

श्वनीचदर्शनं निद्रा प्रलापास्ते जपद्विषः एतेषां संभवे वापि कुर्यात्सूर्यादिदर्शनम्

Transliteration

śvanīcadarśanaṃ nidrā pralāpāste japadviṣaḥ eteṣāṃ saṃbhave vāpi kuryātsūryādidarśanam

Translation

Seeing a dog or a low-born person, falling into sleep, indulging in incoherent talk, and those who are hostile to japa—if any of these occur, one should at once perform the auspicious act of beholding the Sun and other sacred lights, so that obstacles to Shiva-worship may be pacified.

Word by Word

• श्वनीचदर्शनम्: seeing a dog and a ‘low’/inauspicious person

• निद्रा: sleep/drowsiness

• प्रलापाः: delirious or idle talk

• ते: these

• जपद्विषः: haters of japa (mantra-repetition)/those obstructing mantra

• एतेषाम्: of these

• संभवे: on occurrence

• वा अपि: even if/whenever

• कुर्यात्: one should do

• सूर्यादिदर्शनम्: viewing the Sun and other auspicious luminaries (as a purificatory remedy).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja observances to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It lists inauspicious interruptions to japa and puja and prescribes an immediate remedial act—darśana of the Sun (and other sacred lights)—to restore śauca (ritual clarity) and keep the worship unobstructed.

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

By emphasizing removal of obstacles to mantra and worship, it implies Shiva as Pati—the gracious Lord whose worship requires steadiness and purity so the bound pashu (soul) can loosen pasha (bondage) through disciplined practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Japa-dharma (mantra repetition) is central; the verse also highlights a quick prāyaścitta-style remedy—sūrya-darśana—to counter tamas (sleep, confusion) and external disruptions before continuing Shiva-sadhana.