Shloka 31

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

जपन् स वासुदेवेति ध्रुवस्तस्थौ महाद्युतिः शङ्खप्रान्तेन गोविन्दः पस्पर्शास्यं हि तस्य वै

Transliteration

japan sa vāsudeveti dhruvastasthau mahādyutiḥ śaṅkhaprāntena govindaḥ pasparśāsyaṃ hi tasya vai

Translation

Dhruva—radiante de gran esplendor—permaneció absorto repitiendo: «Vāsudeva». Govinda tocó su boca con la punta de su caracola, otorgándole palabra santificada y poder de realización. En términos de Śaiva Siddhānta, esto señala el descenso de la gracia (anugraha) de Pati, que afloja los lazos de pāśa del paśu y convierte el japa en conocimiento liberador.

Word by Word

• जपन् (japan): chanting/repeating (japa)

• स (sa): he

• वासुदेवेति (vāsudeva-iti): ‘Vāsudeva’—thus (uttering the name)

• ध्रुवः (dhruvaḥ): Dhruva

• तस्थौ (tasthau): stood/remained

• महाद्युतिः (mahādyutiḥ): of great radiance

• शङ्खप्रान्तेन (śaṅkha-prāntena): with the tip/end of the conch

• गोविन्दः (govindaḥ): Govinda (the Lord)

• पस्पर्श (pasparśa): touched

• आस्यं (āsyaṃ): the mouth/face

• हि (hi): indeed

• तस्य (tasya): of him

• वै (vai): certainly/assuredly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Dhruva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It highlights the Shaiva principle that liberation-oriented practice is completed by anugraha (divine grace). Just as Dhruva’s japa is sealed by the Lord’s sanctifying touch, Linga-puja is not mere ritual—it is puja plus grace that loosens pasha and awakens the paśu toward Pati.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though the verse names Govinda/Vāsudeva, the Linga Purana’s theological frame supports the non-competitive supremacy of Pati-tattva: the Lord is the dispenser of anugraha who empowers speech, mantra, and knowledge. This function—granting siddhi and removing bondage—is characteristic of Shiva-tattva in Shaiva Siddhanta.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa (name-repetition) is central, and the conch-touch symbolizes initiation-like empowerment (a purificatory bestowal of mantra-śakti). The takeaway aligns with Pashupata discipline: steady japa and devotion culminate in grace that transforms practice into realization.