Shloka 113

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

तत्पूर्वाभिमुखं वश्यं दक्षिणं चाभिचारिकम् पश्चिमं धनदं विद्याद् उत्तरं शान्तिकं भवेत्

Transliteration

tatpūrvābhimukhaṃ vaśyaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ cābhicārikam paścimaṃ dhanadaṃ vidyād uttaraṃ śāntikaṃ bhavet

Translation

面向东方，据说能成就“摄伏/招引”（vaśya），即吸引并令其受影响之力；面向南方，则用于诅制猛仪（abhicāra）。当知面向西方能赐财富，而面向北方则成为息灾安宁之仪（śāntika），带来调和与和平。

Word by Word

• tat-pūrvābhimukham: facing toward the east

• vaśyam: subjugating/attraction-producing rite

• dakṣiṇam: (facing) the south

• ca: and

• abhichārikam: belonging to abhichāra (fierce/coercive ritual)

• paścimam: (facing) the west

• dhanadam: wealth-giving

• vidyāt: one should know/understand

• uttaram: (facing) the north

• śāntikam: pacificatory/appeasing rite

• bhavet: becomes/is.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga-puja orientations as received in the Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It codifies dik-vidhi—how the devotee’s facing direction during Linga-puja is linked to specific karmic outcomes (śānti, dhana, vaśya, or fierce rites), showing that ritual alignment is part of effective Shiva-upasana.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati, the supreme bestower of varied fruits—peace, prosperity, and mastery—while the Pashu (bound soul) approaches Him through regulated vidhi to loosen pāśa (bondage) and obtain desired results.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical puja-vidhi rule: choose orientation according to the intended karma—north for śāntika (pacification), west for wealth, east for vaśya; it reflects the disciplined, result-specific approach found in Shaiva ritual and Pashupata-influenced practice.