Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33
पञ्चाक्षरमाहात्म्यम् / The Greatness of the Pañcākṣarī (Five-Syllable) Mantra
नृत्यगेयादिभिश्चैव सह दीपध्वजादिभिः । प्रदक्षिणत्रयं कृत्वा न द्रुतं चाविलम्बितम्
nṛtyageyādibhiścaiva saha dīpadhvajādibhiḥ | pradakṣiṇatrayaṃ kṛtvā na drutaṃ cāvilambitam
Accompagné de danse, de chant et autres, avec des lampes, des bannières et d’autres offrandes de bon augure, qu’on accomplisse trois circumambulations, sans hâte ni retard excessif.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Naṭarāja
Significance: Pradakṣiṇā with controlled tempo (neither haste nor lethargy) is framed as disciplined bhakti that harmonizes body, speech, and mind—supporting purification of the paśu and receptivity to grace.
Type: stotra
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches that outer ritual should be infused with inner steadiness: devotion expressed through song and celebration must be guided by disciplined attention—neither restless haste nor tamasic delay—so the mind becomes fit for Shiva’s grace.
The instruction to perform three pradakshinas with lamps and banners describes Saguna worship of Shiva (often centered on the Linga), where respectful circumambulation and auspicious offerings embody reverence to Pati (Shiva) while refining the devotee’s bhakti.
Perform three clockwise circumambulations with devotional singing (or mantra), keeping a calm, even pace—using the movement as a mindful practice that stabilizes attention on Shiva rather than turning worship into either hurried formality or sluggish delay.