प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
अस्विति ब्रूतेति च तान्प्रसाद्य द्विजपुंगवान् । विसृज्य स्वकरस्थोदं प्रणम्य भुवि दण्डवत्
asviti brūteti ca tānprasādya dvijapuṃgavān | visṛjya svakarasthodaṃ praṇamya bhuvi daṇḍavat
Sambil berkata, “Demikianlah,” ia menyenangkan para brāhmaṇa utama itu. Lalu ia melepaskan air yang ada di telapak tangannya dan bersujud penuh (daṇḍavat) di bumi.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Models the Śaiva Siddhānta ethic of humility and service to Śiva’s devotees (dvija/ācārya-sevā), a preparatory means for receiving Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Mantra: अस्विति ब्रूतेति ... प्रणम्य भुवि दण्डवत्
It highlights the Shaiva virtue of vinaya (humility): pleasing the righteous and offering complete surrender (daṇḍavat) as an outer sign of inner self-offering to Pati (Lord Shiva).
Linga-worship emphasizes reverent conduct and purity of intention; the act of releasing ritual water and prostrating reflects disciplined devotion that supports Saguna Shiva-upāsanā and prepares the seeker for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
Perform respectful salutations (daṇḍavat praṇāma) after offerings such as udaka/arghya, maintaining a surrendered mind while repeating Shiva’s mantra (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī) with humility.