Shloka 160

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

Devanagari script

एते ज्योतींषि प्रोक्तानि विद्वद्भिर् ब्राह्मणैस् तथा प्रसार्य पादौ न जपेत् कुक्कुटासन एव च

Transliteration

ete jyotīṃṣi proktāni vidvadbhir brāhmaṇais tathā prasārya pādau na japet kukkuṭāsana eva ca

Translation

These sacred luminous principles have been declared by learned Brāhmaṇas. Therefore, one should not perform japa with the feet stretched out; rather, one should do japa seated in Kukkuṭāsana, maintaining disciplined posture in worship of Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• ete: these

• jyotīṁṣi: lights/luminous sacred principles

• proktāni: declared/taught

• vidvadbhiḥ: by the learned

• brāhmaṇaiḥ: by Brāhmaṇas

• tathā: thus/therefore

• prasārya: stretching out

• pādau: the feet

• na: not

• japet: one should recite (japa)

• kukkuṭāsane: in Kukkuṭāsana (a yogic seated posture)

• eva: indeed/only

• ca: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It sets a rule of reverent bodily discipline: mantra-japa for Śiva should be done without disrespectful posture (feet stretched out), reinforcing purity, focus, and devotion during Linga-pūjā.

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

By calling the teaching “luminous” (jyotīṁṣi), it implies Śiva as Pati—the illuminating consciousness—approached through ordered practice that steadies the pashu (individual soul) and loosens pasha (bondage) via japa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa performed in a disciplined seated āsana—specifically Kukkuṭāsana—rather than casually with legs outstretched, aligning pūjā-vidhi with yogic restraint.