Shloka 24

Devanagari script

जप्त्वा प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य स्तुत्वा नत्वा मुहुर्मुहुः

Transliteration

japtvā pradakṣiṇīkṛtya stutvā natvā muhurmuhuḥ

Translation

Having repeated the sacred mantra, having performed circumambulation, having offered praises, and having bowed down again and again.

Word by Word

• जप्त्वा: having recited
• जप्त्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु) → जप्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having recited)

• प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य: having circumambulated
• प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दक्षिणी + कृ (धातु) → प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप् (gerund), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having circumambulated/kept to the right)

• स्तुत्वा: having praised
• स्तुत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु) → स्तुत्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having praised)

• नत्वा: having bowed
• नत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु) → नत्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having bowed)

• मुहुः: again and again
• मुहुः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुहुः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरावृत्तिवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: repeatedly)

• मुहुः: again and again
• मुहुः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुहुः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरावृत्तिवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (repetition; paired usage)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Describes core devotional acts (japa–pradakṣiṇā–stuti–namaskāra) that purify the bound soul (paśu) and dispose it toward Śiva’s grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents a complete bhakti-oriented worship sequence—mantra-japa, pradakṣiṇā, stuti, and repeated namaskāra—showing how the pashu (individual soul) approaches Pati (Shiva) with humility and steady devotion.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

These acts are classic components of Saguna Shiva/Linga-upāsanā: reciting Shiva-mantras, circumambulating the sacred form, praising the Lord’s qualities, and bowing repeatedly—external worship that ripens into inner surrender and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Mantra-japa (commonly the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), pradakṣiṇā around the Linga, stotra-recitation, and repeated prostration—done with focused mind and devotional intent.