Shloka 76
शिवध्यानपूजनवर्णनम्
Description of Śiva Meditation and Worship
बलाय नम इत्युक्त्वा धूपन्दद्यात्प्र यत्नतः । बलप्रमथनायेति सुदीपं चैव दापयेत्
balāya nama ityuktvā dhūpandadyātpra yatnataḥ | balapramathanāyeti sudīpaṃ caiva dāpayet
Having uttered, “Obeisance to Bala,” one should carefully offer incense. Then, reciting, “(Obeisance) to the Subduer of Bala,” one should also have a bright lamp lit as an offering.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Mantra: balāya namaḥ / balapramathanāya (namaḥ)
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It teaches that mantra and offering must unite: the devotee invokes Shiva’s protective power (“Bala”) and then honors Shiva as the force that subdues obstructive powers, using dhūpa (incense) and dīpa (lamp) to purify and illumine the inner awareness.
Incense and lamp are classic upacāras offered to Saguna Shiva—especially to the Shiva Linga—where fragrance symbolizes purification of the mind and the lamp symbolizes the light of Shiva-consciousness revealing Pati (the Lord) beyond pasha (bondage).
Perform mantra-recitation while offering dhūpa and lighting a steady dīpa; inwardly contemplate Shiva as the remover of inner ‘bala’—the force of ego and obstruction—so the mind becomes fit for devotion and meditation.