Shloka 46
प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
इति जप्त्वा नमस्कृत्य साष्टांगं भुवि दण्डवत् । स्थित्वा तु प्राङ्मुखः शम्भोः पादाब्जयुगलं स्मरन्
iti japtvā namaskṛtya sāṣṭāṃgaṃ bhuvi daṇḍavat | sthitvā tu prāṅmukhaḥ śambhoḥ pādābjayugalaṃ smaran
Having thus repeated the mantra, he bowed in reverence and performed a full prostration on the earth in sāṣṭāṅga, like a staff. Then, standing facing the east, he meditated, remembering the pair of lotus-feet of Śambhu—Lord Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: panchakshara
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva discipline of surrender after mantra-japa: complete humility (aṣṭāṅga/daṇḍavat praṇāma) followed by steady remembrance of Śiva’s lotus-feet, a bhakti-based focus that purifies the bound soul (paśu) and turns it toward Pati (Śiva).
The sequence—japa, prostration, then meditation—matches Saguna upāsanā: one worships Śiva in an approachable form (such as the Liṅga or Śambhu as Lord), and then internalizes that devotion through dhyāna on His lotus-feet, making outer ritual mature into inner contemplation.
Perform mantra-japa, offer daṇḍavat (aṣṭāṅga) prostration on the ground, then stand facing east and meditate on Lord Śiva’s lotus-feet—an integrated practice of japa, praṇāma, and dhyāna (often done alongside Shaiva observances like bhasma and rudrākṣa where prescribed).