Shloka 65

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणत्रयं कुर्याद् यः प्रासादं समन्ततः सव्यापसव्यन्यायेन मृदुगत्या शुचिर्नरः

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇatrayaṃ kuryād yaḥ prāsādaṃ samantataḥ savyāpasavyanyāyena mṛdugatyā śucirnaraḥ

Translation

清浄なる人は、殿堂を周囲から三度めぐり、やわらかに歩みつつ定めの順に従うべし—右繞（プラダクシナー）を守り、儀則により必要な所では逆繞（アパサヴ்ய）も行い、作法に適うように。

Word by Word

• प्रदक्षिणत्रयम्: three circumambulations

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform

• यः: who

• प्रासादम्: temple/shrine

• समन्ततः: on all sides, completely

• सव्य: rightward/sacred (clockwise) course

• अपसव्य: leftward/counter (anti-clockwise) course

• न्यायेन: according to rule/proper method

• मृदुगत्या: with gentle pace

• शुचिः: pure/clean

• नरः: man/person (worshipper)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja and temple conduct to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prescribes a key limb of Shiva-temple devotion: performing three complete circumambulations with purity and controlled conduct, reinforcing reverence to the Linga as Pati (Lord) and the sanctum as the field of grace.

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

By centering worship on ordered movement around the shrine, it points to Shiva as the immovable axis (Pati) around whom the pashu (individual soul) turns, gradually loosening pasha (bondage) through disciplined, reverent practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) performed three times with śauca (purity) and mṛdu-gati (gentle, mindful pace), aligning bodily action with Shiva-puja vidhi and the Pashupata emphasis on regulated conduct.