Shloka 23

ग्रहसंख्यावर्णनम् — ध्रुवस्य तपोबलात् ध्रुवस्थानप्राप्तिः

Devanagari script

जजाप मन्त्रमनिशम् अजस्रं स पुनः पुनः वेताला राक्षसा घोराः सिंहाद्याश् च महामृगाः

Transliteration

jajāpa mantramaniśam ajasraṃ sa punaḥ punaḥ vetālā rākṣasā ghorāḥ siṃhādyāś ca mahāmṛgāḥ

Translation

Paulit-ulit niyang isinagawa ang japa ng mantra nang walang patid, tuluy-tuloy at walang pahinga. Pagkaraan, lumitaw bilang nakapanghihilakbot na hadlang ang mga vetāla at rākṣasa, at ang malalaking mababangis na hayop—mga leon at iba pa; ngunit sa harap ng matatag na pagsasanay sa mantra, nawawalan sila ng kapangyarihan.

Word by Word

• जजाप: he muttered/recited (japa)

• मन्त्रम्: the mantra

• अनिशम्: continually, without pause

• अजस्रम्: unceasingly

• सः: he

• पुनः पुनः: again and again

• वेतालाः: vetālas (ghoulish spirits)

• राक्षसाः: rākṣasas (demonic beings)

• घोराः: dreadful, terrifying

• सिंहाद्याः: lions and others

• च: and

• महामृगाः: great beasts/wild animals

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Vetalas
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that unwavering mantra-japa is a core limb of Linga-centered sadhana: steadfast remembrance of Pati (Shiva) dissolves vighnas—fear, hostile forces, and inner agitation—that obstruct puja and dhyana.

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

By implying that terrifying beings become ineffective before sustained mantra, the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the sovereign consciousness whose mantra-shakti subdues pasha-like disturbances and restores the pashu (the bound soul) to steadiness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ajasra-anisha mantra-japa—continuous repetition as a Pashupata-oriented discipline for vighna-nivarana (removal of obstacles) and stabilization of mind for higher Shaiva meditation.