Shloka 79
गजाननपूजा तथा औपासन-होमविधिः
Worship of Gajānana and the Procedure of Aupāsana-Homa
अथ गत्वा गुरोः पार्श्वं शिवपादांबुजं स्मरन् । प्रणमेद्दण्डवद्भूमौ त्रिवारं संयतात्मवान्
atha gatvā guroḥ pārśvaṃ śivapādāṃbujaṃ smaran | praṇameddaṇḍavadbhūmau trivāraṃ saṃyatātmavān
Then, approaching the Guru’s side and remembering Śiva’s lotus-feet, the self-restrained disciple should bow upon the ground like a staff in full prostration, three times.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that true Shaiva progress begins with humility: approaching the Guru, remembering Śiva’s lotus-feet (Śiva-smaraṇa), and surrendering the ego through full prostration—an outer act that supports inner self-control and devotion.
Remembering “Śiva’s lotus-feet” points to Saguna upāsanā—devotional contemplation of Śiva’s gracious form—often centered in practice on the Śiva-liṅga, where the devotee offers reverence with body, speech, and mind under the Guru’s guidance.
Perform daṇḍavat praṇāma (full prostration) three times with a restrained mind while mentally remembering Śiva’s feet; this can be paired with japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a focused devotional discipline.