Shloka 21

Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama

Devanagari script

स्तंभैश् च वैडूर्यमयैः किङ्किणीजालसंवृतम् चारुरत्नकसंयुक्तं मण्डपं विश्वतोमुखम्

Transliteration

staṃbhaiś ca vaiḍūryamayaiḥ kiṅkiṇījālasaṃvṛtam cāruratnakasaṃyuktaṃ maṇḍapaṃ viśvatomukham

Translation

அங்கே வைடூர்ய மணித் தூண்களால் அமைந்த மண்டபம் இருந்தது; சிறு மணிகளின் வலைப்பின்னலால் சூழப்பட்டு, அழகிய ரத்தினங்களால் அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்டு, எல்லாத் திசைகளையும் நோக்கும் முகங்களுடன் இருந்தது. அது அனைத்திலும் நிறைந்த பதி-பெருமானுக்கு ஏற்றது; அங்கே கட்டுண்ட பசு-ஆன்மா மோட்சப் பாதை நோக்கி திரும்புகிறது.

Word by Word

• स्तंभैः: with pillars

• च: and

• वैडूर्यमयैः: made of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye gem)

• किङ्किणीजालसंवृतम्: enclosed/covered with a net (lattice) of small bells

• चारु: beautiful, exquisite

• रत्नकसंयुक्तम्: furnished/adorned with jewels

• मण्डपम्: pavilion, hall

• विश्वतोमुखम्: having faces/openings in all directions, facing everywhere

Speaker

Suta Goswami

FAQs

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

It highlights the maṇḍapa (ritual pavilion) as an auspicious, carefully consecrated space—adorned and oriented “in all directions”—supporting proper Shiva-puja and the devotee’s approach to the Linga as the universal presence.

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

Through the term viśvatomukha (“facing everywhere”), the verse implies Shiva’s all-pervasive Pati-nature: the Lord is not confined to one direction or form, and all directions open into His presence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to puja-vidhi foundations—preparing the mandapa for worship—where the sanctified environment aids steadiness of mind (yogic focus) and supports Pashupata-oriented devotion toward liberation from pāśa (bondage).