Shloka 53

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

ऋतूनां शिशिरश्चापि मासानां माघ उच्यते पक्षाणां शुक्लपक्षस्तु तिथीनां प्रतिपत्तथा

Transliteration

ṛtūnāṃ śiśiraścāpi māsānāṃ māgha ucyate pakṣāṇāṃ śuklapakṣastu tithīnāṃ pratipattathā

Translation

ఋతువులలో శిశిరం కూడా (శ్రేష్ఠం); మాసములలో మాఘమాసం అని చెప్పబడెను. పక్షములలో శుక్లపక్షం, తిథులలో ప్రతిపద కూడా (ప్రధానమని) గణింపబడెను।

Word by Word

• ऋतूनाम् (ṛtūnām): among the seasons

• शिशिरः (śiśiraḥ): the Śiśira season/late winter

• च अपि (ca api): and also

• मासानाम् (māsānām): among the months

• माघः (māghaḥ): the month Māgha

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/declared

• पक्षाणाम् (pakṣāṇām): among the fortnights

• शुक्लपक्षः (śukla-pakṣaḥ): the bright fortnight

• तु (tu): indeed

• तिथीनाम् (tithīnām): among the lunar days (tithis)

• प्रतिपत् (pratipat): the first lunar day

• तथा (tathā): likewise/so too

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It ranks sacred time-units (season, month, fortnight, tithi) to indicate especially favorable windows for Śiva-pūjā and vrata, when devotion and discipline are considered most efficacious for removing pāśa (bondage) and stabilizing the paśu in Śiva-oriented dharma.

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

By implying that time itself can be sanctified for liberation-oriented worship, it reflects Śiva as Pati—the Lord who presides over kāla (time) and grants grace through properly aligned sādhanā, enabling the paśu to transcend bonds rather than remain governed by them.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights kāla-niyama (discipline of timing) for Śiva-vrata and pūjā—choosing Māgha, Śukla-pakṣa, and Pratipat for intensified japa, abhiṣeka, and observance, aligning with Pāśupata-style emphasis on regulated practice leading toward release from bondage.