Shloka 6
Śiva-Pūjākramaḥ — The Procedural Order of Shiva Worship
Pañcāvaraṇa & Upacāras
सदाशिवादिक्रमतो ध्यायेदष्टौ च तत्र तान् । परया सम्भावनयेतरानपि मुने द्विजान् । परमेष्ठिगुरुं ध्यायेत्सांबबुद्ध्या स्वनामतः । गुरुश्च परमन्तस्मात्परापरगुरुं ततः
sadāśivādikramato dhyāyedaṣṭau ca tatra tān | parayā sambhāvanayetarānapi mune dvijān | parameṣṭhiguruṃ dhyāyetsāṃbabuddhyā svanāmataḥ | guruśca paramantasmātparāparaguruṃ tataḥ
सदाशिव से क्रमशः उन आठों (गुरुओं) का ध्यान करे; और हे मुने, अन्य द्विज आचार्यों का भी परम आदर से स्मरण-चिंतन करे। अपनी परंपरा में अपने नाम से प्रसिद्ध परमेष्ठि-गुरु का सांब (शिव-शक्ति-युत) बुद्धि से ध्यान करे; फिर परम गुरु का, और उसके बाद परापर (परात्पर तथा अंतर्व्याप्त) गुरु का ध्यान करे।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: teaching
FAQs
It establishes Guru-tattva as the doorway to Śiva: the seeker is instructed to contemplate a lineage beginning from Sadāśiva, honoring realized teachers, and finally recognizing the Guru as the very presence of Śiva-Śakti (Sāmbā) guiding the soul toward liberation.
By identifying the Guru with Sāmbā (Śiva with Śakti), the verse frames Saguna worship—such as Linga-pūjā—as effective when received through right initiation and instruction; the Guru embodies the living link between the devotee’s practice and the Lord’s grace.
A structured dhyāna: mentally honor the Shaiva guru-lineage beginning with Sadāśiva, revere all worthy teachers, and meditate on one’s own initiating Guru as Sāmbā; this supports mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī) and inner yoga by rooting practice in devotion and correct understanding.