Shloka 132
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
तदप्यशक्तः स्नात्वा वै यत्किंचिद्दानमाचरेत् । दिवाकरं नमस्कुर्यान्मन्त्रेणाष्टोत्तरं शतम्
tadapyaśaktaḥ snātvā vai yatkiṃciddānamācaret | divākaraṃ namaskuryānmantreṇāṣṭottaraṃ śatam
Even if one is unable to do that, one should bathe and perform whatever charity one can. Then, with a mantra, one should bow to the Sun (Divākara) a hundred and eight times.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In the Viśveśvarasaṃhitā setting, the discipline of snāna, dāna, and repeated namaskāra is presented as an accessible vrata-like substitute when one cannot perform heavier rites; it is framed as a means to gain Śiva’s favor at Kāśī/Viśveśvara, where even ancillary devatā-upāsanā is subordinated to Śiva-bhakti.
Significance: Merit through simple, repeatable acts (snāna, dāna, namaskāra) that purify pāśa (bondage) and dispose the paśu toward Śiva’s anugraha; supportive practice for pilgrims unable to do elaborate worship.
FAQs
It teaches an accessible Shaiva ethic: even when higher observances are difficult, purification (snāna), selfless giving (dāna), and disciplined devotion (108 salutations with mantra) sustain dharma and prepare the mind for Shiva-bhakti.
By prescribing purity and mantra-based reverence, it supports Saguna worship as a practical pathway—outer acts like bathing and charity steady the senses, making one fit for Linga-upāsanā and focused remembrance of Shiva.
Bathe, give whatever charity is possible, and perform 108 mantra-salutations (namaskāra/japa) to Divākara (Surya), using the count as a meditative discipline.