Shloka 56

Devanagari script

गङ्गाधरं सुखासीनं चन्द्रशेखरमेव च

Transliteration

gaṅgādharaṃ sukhāsīnaṃ candraśekharameva ca

Translation

Renungkanlah Śiva—Gangādhara, yang memikul Gaṅgā yang suci, duduk dalam ketenteraman; dan Chandrashekhara, yang mengenakan bulan pada mahkota-Nya.

Word by Word

• गङ्गाधरं: the bearer of the Ganga

• सुखासीनं: seated comfortably/at ease (in tranquil posture)

• चन्द्रशेखरम्: he whose crest (śekhara) is the moon

• एव: indeed/only

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; a dhyana-stuti segment describing Shiva’s form)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganga
• Chandra (Moon)

FAQs

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

It functions as a dhyāna-invocation: the devotee visualizes Shiva’s auspicious marks (Gaṅgā on His head and the moon as His crest) before offering worship to the Liṅga, aligning the mind with Pati (the Lord) prior to ritual.

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

Shiva is shown as Pati who effortlessly contains and regulates cosmic powers—Gaṅgā’s purifying force and the lunar principle—while remaining sukhāsīna, established in unshaken inner sovereignty and calm.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dhyāna (meditative visualization) is highlighted—steady contemplation of Shiva’s form as part of Pāśupata-oriented inner worship, preparing the pashu (soul) to loosen pāśa (bondage) through focused remembrance of Pati.