Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels

Devanagari script

कुशपुष्पयवव्रीहिबहुमूलतमालकान् । प्रक्षिपेत्प्रोक्षणीपात्रे भसितं च यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

kuśapuṣpayavavrīhibahumūlatamālakān | prakṣipetprokṣaṇīpātre bhasitaṃ ca yathākramam

Translation

Dann lege man in das Gefäß zum Besprengen (prokṣaṇa) der Reihe nach Kuśa-Blüten, Gerste, Reis, das vielwurzelige heilige Gras und Tamālaka; und füge auch die heilige Asche (bhasma) in der vorgeschriebenen Ordnung hinzu.

Word by Word

• kuśa-puṣpa-yava-vrīhi-bahu-mūla-tamālakān: kuśa, flowers, barley, rice, bahu-mūla (many-rooted herb), and tamālaka
• kuśa-puṣpa-yava-vrīhi-bahu-mūla-tamālakān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa + puṣpa + yava + vrīhi + bahu + mūla + tamālaka (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग); Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया); Plural (बहुवचन); enumerative compound listing items (samāhāra/itaretara-dvandva sense)

• prakṣipet: should throw/place in
• prakṣipet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + kṣip (धातु)
• Form: Verb; Dhātu: क्षिप् with prefix प्र-; Lakāra: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, optative); Puruṣa: 3rd (प्रथमपुरुष); Vacana: Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• prokṣaṇī-pātre: in the sprinkling vessel
• prokṣaṇī-pātre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prokṣaṇī + pātra (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); Locative (7th/सप्तमी); Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘prokṣaṇyāḥ pātre’ (in the sprinkling vessel)

• bhasitam: ash
• bhasitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhasita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग); Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया); Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• yathā-kramam: in due order
• yathā-kramam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā + krama (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially; indeclinable (अव्यय); meaning ‘according to order/sequence’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching on Shaiva ritual procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Prokṣaṇa (sprinkling) sanctifies space, implements, and the worshipper; in Siddhānta terms it ritually enacts loosening of pāśa (impurity/bondage) and prepares the paśu for Śiva’s presence and grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shaiva worship is not casual but sacramental: sanctification begins by preparing prokṣaṇa (sprinkling water) with pure, sattvic substances and bhasma, symbolizing inner purification and surrender of ego to Pati (Shiva).

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

In Linga-pūjā to Saguna Shiva, prokṣaṇa is used to purify the worship space and implements; adding bhasma aligns the rite with Shiva’s mark (Tripuṇḍra) and the Shaiva identity of the worship, making the offering fit for the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It indicates a practical rite: prepare sanctified sprinkling water with kuśa, grains, sacred plants, and bhasma in prescribed order; inwardly, it supports meditation on purity and impermanence (bhasma) while maintaining disciplined, rule-based devotion.