Shloka 17

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

द्युतिमानृषिपुत्रस्तु सोमो देवो वसुः स्मृतः शुक्रो देवस्तु विज्ञेयो भार्गवो ऽसुरयाजकः

Transliteration

dyutimānṛṣiputrastu somo devo vasuḥ smṛtaḥ śukro devastu vijñeyo bhārgavo 'surayājakaḥ

Translation

光辉的苏摩（Soma），出自圣仙之子，被忆念为八善神（Vasu）中的一位天神。又当知舒克罗（Śukra）亦为天神——婆罗伽婆（Bhārgava），为阿修罗众作祭司者。

Word by Word

• द्युतिमान्: radiant, luminous

• ऋषिपुत्रः: son of a sage

• तु: indeed

• सोमः: Soma (Moon-deity)

• देवः: a Deva (celestial being)

• वसुः: one of the Vasus / belonging to the Vasu-class

• स्मृतः: remembered, traditionally known

• शुक्रः: Śukra (Venus

• देवः: Deva

• तु: indeed

• विज्ञेयः: to be known/understood

• भार्गवः: Bhārgava (descendant of Bhṛgu)

• असुरयाजकः: priest/ritual-officiant of the Asuras

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Vasus
• Shukra
• Bhargava
• Asuras

FAQs

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

It situates Linga-worship within the wider Vedic-cosmic order by identifying key celestial functionaries (Soma among the Vasus and Śukra as an officiant), implying that ritual power ultimately operates under the supreme Lord (Pati), Śiva.

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

Indirectly: by showing that even exalted devas and ritual authorities have defined roles and jurisdictions, the verse supports the Shaiva Siddhanta view that all such powers are subordinate instruments within the Lord’s (Pati’s) governance, while bound souls (paśu) remain distinct from Him.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vedic priestly function (yajña-adhikāra) is highlighted—Śukra is identified as the Asuras’ ritual officiant—underscoring that correct ritual agency exists across realms, though for liberation the paśu must ultimately turn toward Śiva through Śiva-pūjā and Pāśupata-aligned discipline.