Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चगव्यघृतक्षीरदधिमध्वादिपूर्वकैः । मूलैः फलानां सारैश्च तिलसर्षपसक्तुभिः

Transliteration

pañcagavyaghṛtakṣīradadhimadhvādipūrvakaiḥ | mūlaiḥ phalānāṃ sāraiśca tilasarṣapasaktubhiḥ

Translation

Mit den fünf Erzeugnissen der Kuh (pañcagavya), zusammen mit Ghee, Milch, Dickmilch, Honig und dergleichen; mit Wurzeln und den Essenzen der Früchte; sowie mit Sesam, Senf und geröstetem Getreidemehl—(so ist das Ritual nach Vorschrift zu vollziehen).

Word by Word

• पञ्चगव्यघृतक्षीरदधिमधु-आदि-पूर्वकैः: with (items) preceded by pañcagavya, ghee, milk, curd, honey, etc.
• पञ्चगव्यघृतक्षीरदधिमधु-आदि-पूर्वकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चगव्य-घृत-क्षीर-दधि-मधु-आदि-पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः; ‘आदि’ (etc.) + ‘पूर्वक’ (accompanied by)

• मूलैः: with roots
• मूलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• फलानाम्: of fruits
• फलानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन

• सारैः: with essences/extracts
• सारैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

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

• तिलसर्षपसक्तुभिः: with sesame, mustard, and roasted flour (saktu)
• तिलसर्षपसक्तुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल-सर्षप-सक्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (तिलाः च सर्षपाः च सक्तवः च)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Enumerates abhiṣeka substances; the pilgrim/householder gains purification (mala-kṣaya) and merit through proper dravya-sevā to the liṅga.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes purity and sattvic preparation in Shiva-worship: carefully chosen, sanctifying substances are offered so the devotee’s intention becomes refined, supporting bhakti and inner cleansing on the path toward Shiva’s grace.

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

These are classic abhiṣeka and naivedya-type substances used in reverent service to the Shiva-Linga (Saguna worship), where tangible offerings become a vehicle to contemplate the transcendent Pati (Shiva) who accepts devotion through form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to performing Shiva abhiṣeka/offerings with panchagavya, milk, curd, honey, etc., ideally accompanied by japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a focused, humble mind.