Shloka 66
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
“അസ്തു” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞ് അവൻ ആ ശ്രേഷ്ഠ ദ്വിജന്മാരെ പ്രസാദിപ്പിച്ചു. പിന്നെ സ്വന്തം കൈയിൽ പിടിച്ചിരുന്ന ഉദകം വിട്ട്, ഭൂമിയിൽ ദണ്ഡവത് പ്രണാമം ചെയ്തു.
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
FAQs
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.