Shloka 19

गुरुत्व-परम्परा-शौचविधि-प्रश्नः

Questions on Guruhood, Lineage, and Purificatory Discipline

Devanagari script

साधारं शङ्खमपि च सम्पूज्य कुसुमादिभिः । निःक्षिपेद स्त्रवर्मभ्यां शोधितं तत्र सज्जलम्

Transliteration

sādhāraṃ śaṅkhamapi ca sampūjya kusumādibhiḥ | niḥkṣipeda stravarmabhyāṃ śodhitaṃ tatra sajjalam

Translation

Nachdem man die auf ihrem Ständer ruhende Muschel (Śaṅkha) mit Blumen und dergleichen gebührend verehrt hat, gieße man das durch schützende śaivische Mantras gereinigte Wasser hinein und halte es für den rituellen Gebrauch bereit.

Word by Word

• साधारम्: with a base/stand; having support
• साधारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: साधार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• शङ्खम्: conch
• शङ्खम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/समुच्चयार्थ (particle; also/even)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• सम्पूज्य: having duly worshipped
• सम्पूज्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having worshipped’

• कुसुमादिभिः: with flowers and the like
• कुसुमादिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural); समास: कुसुम-आदि (flowers etc.)

• निःक्षिपेत्: should place/put down
• निःक्षिपेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निः + क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (should place/put)

• अस्त्र-वर्मभ्याम्: with (the mantras of) weapon and armor
• अस्त्र-वर्मभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र + वर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Neuter, Instrumental, Dual); द्वन्द्व: अस्त्रं च वर्म च

• शोधितम्: purified
• शोधितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुध्/शोध् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘purified’

• तत्र: there/in it
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb: there/in it)

• स-जलं: together with water; containing water
• स-जलं: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्गसदृश ‘स’ = ‘सहित’ (with); ‘with water’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: kavaca

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that outer offerings (flowers, vessels) become spiritually effective only when joined with mantra-śuddhi—purification by Śaiva protective invocations—so the devotee’s act becomes a disciplined approach toward Pati (Śiva) rather than mere ritualism.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The prepared, mantra-purified water is intended for upacāras like abhiṣeka to the Liṅga—Saguna Śiva worship—where consecrated substances become vehicles for devotion and focused awareness of Śiva’s gracious presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Worship the conch with flowers, then consecrate water using Śaiva protective (kavaca/varma) mantras before offering it—pairing correct procedure with recollection of Śiva through mantra-japa (commonly centered on the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).