Shloka 5

Devanagari script

प्राच्यालोक्याभिवन्द्येशां गायत्रीं वेदमातरम् कृताञ्जलिपुटो भूत्वा प्रार्थयेद्भास्करं तथा

Transliteration

prācyālokyābhivandyeśāṃ gāyatrīṃ vedamātaram kṛtāñjalipuṭo bhūtvā prārthayedbhāskaraṃ tathā

Translation

കിഴക്കോട്ട് മുഖം തിരിച്ച്, ആ പൂജ്യയായ ഗായത്രി—വേദമാതാവിനെ—അഭിവന്ദനം ചെയ്യണം. തുടർന്ന് കൃതാഞ്ജലിയായി, അതുപോലെ ഭാസ്കരനെ (സൂര്യനെ) പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• प्राच्य-आलोक्य: having looked toward the east / facing east

• अभिवन्द्य: having saluted, bowed to

• एषाम्: to her/that (revered one)

• गायत्रीम्: Gāyatrī

• वेद-मातरम्: Mother of the Vedas

• कृत-अञ्जलि-पुटः: one who has made the hollow of joined palms (añjali)

• भूत्वा: having become/assuming (that posture)

• प्रार्थयेत्: should pray

• भास्करम्: Bhāskara, the Sun

• तथा: likewise/then, in that manner

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri
• Bhaskara (Surya)

FAQs

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

It establishes the pūrva-aṅga (preliminary discipline): facing east, honoring Gāyatrī and praying to the Sun as a purification rite that prepares the practitioner for Śiva-liṅga pūjā.

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

By prescribing inner and outer purification before worship, it implies Śiva as Pati—the supremely pure Lord—approached by a paśu through disciplined, sattva-enhancing observances that loosen pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The morning Sandhyā-style rite: east-facing orientation, Gāyatrī-vandana, and Sūrya-prārthanā with añjali—used as a preparatory practice aligned with Shaiva pūjā-vidhi.