Shloka 9

Devanagari script

लोहिताक्षी स्तनवती गायत्री गौः प्रकीर्तिता ततो ऽस्या लोहितत्वेन वर्णस्य च विपर्ययात्

Transliteration

lohitākṣī stanavatī gāyatrī gauḥ prakīrtitā tato 'syā lohitatvena varṇasya ca viparyayāt

Translation

ଗାୟତ୍ରୀ ଗୋରୂପେ ପ୍ରକୀର୍ତିତ—ଲାଲ ଚକ୍ଷୁବତୀ ଓ ଦୁଗ୍ଧପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସ୍ତନବତୀ। ତାଙ୍କର ଲୋହିତତ୍ୱ ହେତୁ ତାଙ୍କ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣ-ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ବିଭିନ୍ନତା/ବିପର୍ୟୟ ହୁଏ।

Word by Word

• lohitākṣī: red-eyed

• stanavatī: possessing udders/breasts, abundant and nourishing

• gāyatrī: the Gāyatrī (Vedic meter/mantra as Divine Power)

• gauḥ: cow, sacred cow

• prakīrtitā: proclaimed, praised, declared

• tataḥ: therefore, from that

• asyāḥ: of her

• lohitatvena: by redness, due to being red

• varṇasya: of color/complexion

• ca: and

• viparyayāt: due to reversal/variation/inversion

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri

FAQs

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

It links Vedic mantra-power (Gāyatrī) with the sacred Cow as a nourishing, purifying Shakti—supporting the idea that mantra and purity are foundational to approaching the Linga (Pati) through disciplined worship.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as Pati who is approached through Shakti (Gāyatrī): the nourishing, illuminating power that refines the pashu (individual soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage) via mantra and sanctified symbolism.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-upāsanā centered on Gāyatrī—used for inner purification (sattva-śuddhi) and ritual sanctification—serving as a preparatory discipline aligned with Shaiva worship and Pāśupata-oriented self-restraint.