Shloka 54

वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)

Devanagari script

यज्जप्त्वा तु मुनिश्रेष्ठा गाणपत्यमवाप्तवान् ॐ स्थिरः स्थाणुः प्रभुर्भानुः प्रवरो वरदो वरः

Transliteration

yajjaptvā tu muniśreṣṭhā gāṇapatyamavāptavān oṃ sthiraḥ sthāṇuḥ prabhurbhānuḥ pravaro varado varaḥ

Translation

Ô le meilleur des sages, en répétant ce japa il obtint l’état de Gaṇapati (chef parmi les gaṇa de Śiva). « Oṁ—(Śiva est) le Ferme, le Sthāṇu, Pilier immobile; le Souverain; le Bhānu, Soleil rayonnant; le Suprême; le Donateur de grâces; le Meilleur. »

Word by Word

• yaj: which (mantra)

• japtvā: having repeated/recited

• tu: indeed

• muni-śreṣṭhāḥ: O best of sages

• gāṇapatyam: the status of Gaṇapati/leader of the gaṇas

• avāptavān: obtained/attained

• oṃ: the sacred syllable Oṁ

• sthiraḥ: steady, unwavering

• sthāṇuḥ: immovable, the fixed pillar (a name of Śiva)

• prabhuḥ: Lord, master (Pati)

• bhānuḥ: radiant one, sun-like splendor

• pravaraḥ: most excellent, pre-eminent

• varadaḥ: boon-giver

• varaḥ: the best, supreme.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links nāma-japa to tangible spiritual attainment—entry into Śiva’s gaṇa-sphere—showing that devotion to the Pati through mantra is itself a valid mode of Linga-centered worship and proximity to Śiva.

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

Śiva is portrayed as Sthira and Sthāṇu—unchanging, the immovable support of all—yet also Prabhu (sovereign Pati) and Bhānu (self-luminous consciousness), who is simultaneously supreme (Pravara/Vara) and compassionate as Varada, the giver of grace and boons.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa (repetitive recitation) of Śiva-nāmas beginning with Oṁ is emphasized; in a Pāśupata frame, such japa purifies the paśu (soul), loosens pāśa (bondage), and draws the aspirant into the Lord’s (Pati’s) retinue and grace.