Shloka 140
अध्यक्षं शिवधर्मेषु प्रदक्षिणमितीरितम् । क्रियया जपरूपं हि प्रणवं तु प्रदक्षिणम्
adhyakṣaṃ śivadharmeṣu pradakṣiṇamitīritam | kriyayā japarūpaṃ hi praṇavaṃ tu pradakṣiṇam
In the disciplines of Śiva, “pradakṣiṇā” is declared to be the act of keeping the Lord as the presiding center. In practice it is essentially a form of japa; indeed, the recitation of the Praṇava (Oṁ) itself is pradakṣiṇā.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Defines pradakṣiṇā as centering the Lord as adhyakṣa (presiding axis) and equates it with japa—especially praṇava—supporting temple praxis where circumambulation is synchronized with mantra.
Mantra: oṃ (praṇava)
Type: gayatri
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that true pradakṣiṇā is not only a physical circling of the Liṅga, but an inner turning of awareness around Śiva as the central Lord (Pati), making worship steady and one-pointed through mantra.
Circumambulating the Śiva-liṅga is affirmed, but the verse elevates it by stating that japa—especially of Oṁ—functions as an inner pradakṣiṇā, integrating external Saguna worship with inward contemplation.
Perform pradakṣiṇā with continuous mantra-japa; specifically, recite the Praṇava (Oṁ) as a meditative circumambulation, keeping Śiva as the unmoving center of attention.