Shloka 54

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

अहोरात्रविभागानाम् अहश्चादिः प्रकीर्तितः मुहूर्तानां तथैवादिर् मुहूर्तो रुद्रदैवतः

Transliteration

ahorātravibhāgānām ahaścādiḥ prakīrtitaḥ muhūrtānāṃ tathaivādir muhūrto rudradaivataḥ

Translation

అహోరాత్ర విభాగములలో ‘అహః’ (పగలు) ఆద్యమని కీర్తించబడెను. అలాగే ముహూర్తములలో మొదటి ముహూర్తానికి అధిదేవత రుద్రుడే.

Word by Word

• ahorātra-vibhāgānām: of the divisions of day-and-night

• ahaḥ: the day

• ca: and/indeed

• ādiḥ: the beginning/first

• prakīrtitaḥ: is proclaimed/declared

• muhūrtānām: of the muhūrtas (time-units)

• tathā eva: in the same way

• ādiḥ: the first

• muhūrtaḥ: muhūrta

• rudra-daivataḥ: having Rudra as the presiding deity

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It sacralizes time itself: the first muhūrta is Rudra-governed, implying that Shiva’s presence presides over auspicious beginnings—supporting the practice of commencing Linga-puja and daily rites with Rudra-smaraṇa.

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

By assigning Rudra as the devatā of the primal muhūrta, the verse presents Shiva as Pati who orders and empowers kala (time), indicating His lordship over the rhythms that bind pashus under pasha and His capacity to turn time into a means of liberation when approached through worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Choosing an auspicious beginning for sādhana: starting japa, dhyāna, or Linga-abhisheka at the day’s first muhūrta with Rudra as devatā—aligning Pashupata-oriented discipline with sanctified time.