Shloka 64

सूर्यरथ-रचना, ध्रुव-प्रेरणा, मास-गणाः च

Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues

Devanagari script

धृतराष्ट्रः सगन्धर्वः सूर्यवर्चास्तथैव च तिलोत्तमाप्सराश्चैव देवी रंभा मनोहरा

Transliteration

dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ sagandharvaḥ sūryavarcāstathaiva ca tilottamāpsarāścaiva devī raṃbhā manoharā

Translation

धृतराष्ट्रः सगन्धर्वः सूर्यवर्चास्तथैव च। तिलोत्तमाप्सराश्चैव देवी रम्भा मनोहरा॥

Word by Word

• धृतराष्ट्रः (dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ): Dhṛtarāṣṭra (a Gandharva)

• सगन्धर्वः (sa-gandharvaḥ): among/with the Gandharvas

• सूर्यवर्चाः (sūryavarcāḥ): Sūryavarcā (one radiant like the sun)

• तथा एव च (tathaiva ca): and likewise/also

• तिलोत्तमा (tilottamā): Tilottamā (a famed Apsaras)

• अप्सराः (apsarāḥ): Apsarases (celestial nymphs)

• च एव (caiva): and indeed/also

• देवी (devī): the goddess-like, divine lady

• रंभा (rambhā): Rambhā (a renowned Apsaras)

• मनोहरा (manoharā): captivating, charming

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Sūryavarcā
• Tilottamā
• Rambhā
• Gandharvas
• Apsarases
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It supports the puja-bhāva that Mahādeva (Pati) is worshipped as the cosmic Lord attended by all celestial orders; reciting such enumerations functions like a smaraṇa (sacred recollection) that expands devotion and consecrates the ritual space around the Linga.

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

By portraying eminent Gandharvas and Apsarases as attendants, the verse implies Shiva-tattva as the sovereign Pati beyond pasha (bondage), before whom even the most radiant and enchanting beings stand in service—highlighting His transcendence and lordship over all realms.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practice of nāma-smaraṇa and devatā-anusmṛti used in Shaiva stotra and Linga-puja: mentally assembling Shiva’s entourage to steady the pashu (individual soul) in devotion, reverence, and single-pointed worship.