Shloka 30

भोजन-आह्वान-प्रकरणम् — The Episode of Invitation and the Divine Feast

Devanagari script

स्ववाहनानि सज्जानि कैलासङ्गन्तुमुत्सुकाः । कृत्वा सम्प्रेषयामासुर्धर्मं शिवसमीपतः

Transliteration

svavāhanāni sajjāni kailāsaṅgantumutsukāḥ | kṛtvā sampreṣayāmāsurdharmaṃ śivasamīpataḥ

Translation

Begierig, nach Kailāsa aufzubrechen, machten sie ihre eigenen Reittiere bereit und entsandten dann Dharma aus der unmittelbaren Gegenwart des Herrn Śiva.

Word by Word

• स्व-वाहनानि: their own vehicles
• स्व-वाहनानि: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + वाहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; ‘स्वानि वाहनानि’

• सज्जानि: ready/prepared
• सज्जानि: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सज्ज (प्रातिपदिक; from √सज्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of वाहनानि)

• कैलासम्: Kailāsa
• कैलासम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कैलास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• गन्तुम्: to go
• गन्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive)

• उत्सुकाः: eager
• उत्सुकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्सुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (of implied ‘ते’)

• कृत्वा: having done/made
• कृत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund)

• सम्प्रेषयामासुः: they sent forth/dispatched
• सम्प्रेषयामासुः: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-प्र-√इष्/√प्रेष् (धातु; ‘to send’)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; causative sense (णिच्) implied: ‘प्रेषय’ = caused to be sent/sent forth

• धर्मम्: Dharma (personified)/duty
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• शिव-समीपतः: from near Śiva
• शिव-समीपतः: Apādāna (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + समीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; पञ्चमी-अर्थे अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘शिवस्य समीपात्’ = from near Śiva

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Kedāranātha

Sthala Purana: Kailāsa-bound departure evokes the Himalayan Śiva geography; while not a Kedāra māhātmya passage, the Kailāsa axis naturally resonates with Kedāranātha traditions of Śiva’s Himalayan presence.

Significance: Pilgrimage to the Himalayan Śiva realm symbolizes ascent from worldly order to proximity of Pati (Śiva), seeking purification and grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dharma
• Kailasa

FAQs

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

The verse highlights inner readiness and right order: one prepares the means (mounts/effort) and sends “Dharma” ahead—symbolizing that righteous conduct must lead the seeker when approaching Śiva, the supreme Pati, so devotion is guided by purity and discipline.

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

Kailāsa and “Śiva’s presence” indicate Saguna Śiva—approachable and worshipful. In Linga-worship too, the devotee first establishes dharmic preparation (śauca, niyama, right intention) before coming near the emblem of Śiva, making the approach worthy and fruitful.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is “prepare and proceed”: purify oneself, keep dharmic vows, and then approach Śiva with steady devotion—e.g., begin worship by mental resolve (saṅkalpa), chant the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and maintain disciplined conduct as the ‘Dharma’ that goes before the act of worship.