Shloka 42

प्रकृतितत्त्व-विचारः / Inquiry into Prakṛti (Nature/Śakti) and Śiva’s Transcendence

Devanagari script

प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ शंभोः पपौ तच्चरणोदकम् । वह्निशौचैन वस्त्रेण चक्रे तद्गात्रमार्जनम्

Transliteration

prakṣālya caraṇau śaṃbhoḥ papau taccaraṇodakam | vahniśaucaina vastreṇa cakre tadgātramārjanam

Translation

Nachdem sie Śambhus Füße gewaschen hatte, trank sie das Wasser von Seinen Füßen. Dann wischte und reinigte sie Seinen Leib mit einem durch Feuer geläuterten Tuch und verrichtete so hingebungsvollen persönlichen Dienst am Herrn.

Word by Word

• प्रक्षाल्य: having washed
• प्रक्षाल्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + क्षल् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; ‘having washed’

• चरणौ: the two feet
• चरणौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• पपौ: drank
• पपौ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• तत्: that
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• चरण-उदकम्: water from (his) feet
• चरण-उदकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (चरणस्य उदकम्)

• वह्नि-शौचेन: with fire-purification (by fire)
• वह्नि-शौचेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वह्नेः शौचम्)

• वस्त्रेण: with a cloth
• वस्त्रेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• चक्रे: did / performed
• चक्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• तत्: that
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• गात्र-मार्जनम्: wiping/cleansing of the body
• गात्र-मार्जनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गात्रस्य मार्जनम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse foregrounds pāda-tīrtha (water from Śiva’s feet) as a grace-bearing substance received through intimate sevā.

Significance: Models the Siddhānta ideal that bhakti expressed as sevā and humility becomes a conduit for Śiva’s anugraha (purifying the paśu and loosening pāśa).

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse elevates bhakti as embodied service (sevā): reverently washing Śiva’s feet, honoring pāda-tīrtha, and offering purified care. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, such humble devotion refines the soul (paśu) and loosens bonds (pāśa) by turning the heart toward Pati (Śiva).

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

It reflects Saguna upāsanā—worship of Śiva with attributes through tangible acts of reverence. The same attitude is applied in Liṅga-pūjā: abhiṣeka, cleansing, and respectful handling of sacred remnants (tīrtha/prasāda) as expressions of surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A takeaway is to perform pūjā with purity and attentiveness: offer water, maintain śauca (cleanliness), and treat tīrtha/prasāda as sacred. Meditatively, cultivate dāsya-bhāva (the mood of service) while repeating a Śiva-mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”