Shloka 45
गजाननपूजा तथा औपासन-होमविधिः
Worship of Gajānana and the Procedure of Aupāsana-Homa
उपस्थाय प्रविश्याप्सु नाभिदघ्नं प्रवेशयन् । तन्मन्त्रान्प्रजपेत्प्रीत्या निश्चलात्मा समुत्सुकः
upasthāya praviśyāpsu nābhidaghnaṃ praveśayan | tanmantrānprajapetprītyā niścalātmā samutsukaḥ
Having performed the preparatory reverence, he should enter the water and wade in until it reaches the navel. Then, with a steady and unwavering mind—eager and devoted—he should lovingly repeat that very mantra taught for Śiva’s worship.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Bathing (snāna) with mantra-japa is framed as a śuddhi and adhikāra-building act for Śiva-upāsanā; pilgrimage-style merit is implied though no specific kṣetra is named.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that purification and inner steadiness must support mantra-japa: entering water symbolizes cleansing of mala (impurity), while “niścalātmā” emphasizes focused awareness directed to Pati (Śiva) with devotion.
The verse frames mantra-japa as a preparatory rite that refines the worshipper before approaching Saguna Śiva (such as the Liṅga) by cultivating purity, bhakti, and one-pointedness—key supports for effective pūjā and contemplation.
A water-based purification (standing navel-deep) followed by loving mantra repetition with a steady mind—an applied blend of ācamana-like cleansing, japa, and dhyāna suitable for Śaiva sādhanā.