Shloka 41

Adhyaya 61 — ग्रह-नक्षत्र-स्थाननिर्णयः

Cosmic Abodes of Luminaries and the Shaiva Order of Time

Devanagari script

विशाखासु समुत्पन्नो ग्रहाणां प्रथमो ग्रहः त्विषिमान् धर्मपुत्रस्तु सोमो देवो वसुस्तु सः

Transliteration

viśākhāsu samutpanno grahāṇāṃ prathamo grahaḥ tviṣimān dharmaputrastu somo devo vasustu saḥ

Translation

生于毗舍佉宿（Viśākhā）者，为诸行星神（graha）之首——苏摩（Soma）。其光辉灿然，被称为法（Dharma）之子；而此苏摩天神实为八善神（Vasu）之一。

Word by Word

• viśākhāsu: in (the nakṣatra) Viśākhā

• samutpannaḥ: arisen/born

• grahāṇām: among the grahas (celestial planets/seizers)

• prathamaḥ: first

• grahaḥ: graha/planet

• tviṣi-mān: possessed of radiance

• dharma-putraḥ: son of Dharma

• tu: indeed/but

• somaḥ: Soma (Moon-deity)

• devaḥ: god

• vasuḥ: one of the Vasus

• tu: indeed

• saḥ: he

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Soma
• Dharma
• Vasus
• Vishakha (Nakshatra)

FAQs

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

It situates Shiva’s worship within a cosmic framework: lunar time (Soma) and nakshatra cycles regulate vrata, abhiṣeka timings, and the dhārmic order that supports Linga-pūjā.

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

Indirectly, it reflects Shiva as Pati—the transcendent Lord who governs and harmonizes cosmic powers like Soma and the grahas; these luminaries function within His ordained dharma rather than independently.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Observance of Soma-related timings—Somavāra vrata, lunar-month observances, and nakshatra-based pūjā—supporting purification of manas (mind) for Pāśupata-oriented discipline.