Shloka 56
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
प्रभासं च परिक्रम्य पृथिवीक्रमसंभवम् । फलं प्राप्नोति शुद्धात्मा मृतः स्वर्गे महीयते
prabhāsaṃ ca parikramya pṛthivīkramasaṃbhavam | phalaṃ prāpnoti śuddhātmā mṛtaḥ svarge mahīyate
Having circumambulated Prabhāsa—born of the sacred stride that encompassed the earth—the purified soul attains the promised fruit; and upon death, is honored in heaven.
Suta Goswami (narrating the tīrtha-māhātmya to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: Prabhāsa is praised as a kṣetra arising from a divine ‘stride’ (pṛthivīkrama-saṃbhava), and pradakṣiṇā of the tīrtha yields merit and post-mortem heavenly honor.
Significance: Pradakṣiṇā (parikrama) of Prabhāsa purifies the mind (śuddhātmā) and accrues puṇya; in Siddhānta terms, it supports maturation toward Śiva’s anugraha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that devotional circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) of a Shaiva sacred place like Prabhāsa purifies the seeker and yields definite spiritual merit, culminating in exalted post-mortem states—an outward act reflecting inward surrender to Pati (Shiva).
Prabhāsa is praised as a manifest (saguṇa) sacred geography where Shiva’s grace is accessible; circumambulation functions like pradakṣiṇā of the Liṅga—honoring Shiva as present in a consecrated form and place, thereby generating purification and merit.
Perform pradakṣiṇā with a purified mind—ideally while repeating the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—and keep Shaiva observances such as bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and simple vrata discipline during the pilgrimage.