Shloka 17

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

वर्षान्ते सर्वगन्धाढ्यां प्रतिमां संनिवेदयेत् सा भवान्याश् च सायुज्यं सारूप्यं चापि सुव्रता

Transliteration

varṣānte sarvagandhāḍhyāṃ pratimāṃ saṃnivedayet sā bhavānyāś ca sāyujyaṃ sārūpyaṃ cāpi suvratā

Translation

Am Ende des Jahres soll man ein Bildnis (pratimā) darbringen, reich geschmückt mit allen Düften. Die tugendhafte Verehrerin erlangt sāyujya, die Vereinigung mit Bhavānī, und auch sārūpya, die Gleichgestalt mit Ihr—durch eine auf Śiva–Śakti ausgerichtete Bhakti.

Word by Word

• वर्षान्ते: at the end of the year

• सर्वगन्धाढ्याम्: filled/adorned with all perfumes and fragrances

• प्रतिमाम्: an image/icon (pratimā) for worship or gifting

• संनिवेदयेत्: should present/offer with reverence

• सा: that (woman/devotee)

• भवान्याः: of Bhavānī (Pārvatī, Śakti)

• च: and

• सायुज्यम्: intimate union/attainment of oneness (a mukti-state)

• सारूप्यम्: attaining similar form/likeness

• च अपि: also

• सुव्रता: the virtuous one / she of good vows (disciplined in vrata).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Bhavani
• Parvati
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It links Shiva-centered ritual charity (offering a fragrant pratimā) with spiritual fruition, showing that puja and dana performed with vrata at sacred times (year’s end) become a means for the pashu (soul) to loosen pasha (bondage) by grace mediated through Śakti.

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

Shiva-tattva here is implicitly accessed through Shiva–Shakti unity: attainment is described as nearness and likeness to Bhavānī, indicating liberation is not merely material merit but participation in the divine śakti that leads the soul toward the Pati’s sphere.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vrata-based puja/dāna practice: presenting a fragrance-adorned icon (pratimā) at the year’s end; it emphasizes disciplined devotion (suvratā) rather than austerity alone, aligning ritual action with inner orientation toward Śakti.