Shloka 34

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

Jyotish-chakra: Surya’s Motion and Monthly Retinues

Devanagari script

रंभा चाम्भोजवदना रथकृद् ग्रामणीः शुभः रथौजा रथचित्रश् च सुबाहुर्वै रथस्वनः

Transliteration

raṃbhā cāmbhojavadanā rathakṛd grāmaṇīḥ śubhaḥ rathaujā rathacitraś ca subāhurvai rathasvanaḥ

Translation

祂是兰婆——悦意而摄心；祂是莲华面；祂是造车者；祂是众军之长；祂是吉祥者。祂于车战中威猛，祂以车相而奇妙，祂臂力雄健，声如战车轰鸣——此即帕提（主宰），引导被缚众生（paśu）超越缚索（pāśa）之主。

Word by Word

• रंभा: delightful/enchanting One

• च: and

• अम्भोज-वदना: lotus-faced

• रथ-कृत्: maker of chariots/organizer of conveyances

• ग्रामणीः: leader/commander of a troop or community

• शुभः: auspicious, beneficent

• रथ-ओजा: possessing strength in chariot(-war)/with chariot-might

• रथ-चित्रः: having a wondrous/variegated chariot (or wondrous in chariot-form)

• सु-बाहुः: strong-armed

• वै: indeed

• रथ-स्वनः: whose sound is like a chariot (rumbling/roaring).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Sahasranama to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

As a segment of the Shiva Sahasranama, this verse supplies epithets used in nāma-japa during Linga-pūjā, focusing on Shiva as Śubha (Auspicious) and Grāmaṇī (Leader), the Pati who protects and guides paśus beyond pāśa.

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

It presents Shiva-tattva as simultaneously beautiful (lotus-faced), beneficent (auspicious), and sovereign in governance (leader of hosts), indicating the Lord’s mastery over both inner order (dharma) and outer forces (battle/energy), characteristic of Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Primary emphasis is on Sahasranama-recitation (nāma-japa) as a Linga-pūjā limb; yogically, meditating on Shiva as the commanding Grāmaṇī supports Pāśupata orientation—turning the paśu’s mind from bondage (pāśa) toward the Lord (Pati).