Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

स्नापयेद्गंधतोयेन कुशपुष्पोदकेन च । हिरण्यरत्नतोयैश्च मंत्रसिद्धैर्यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

snāpayedgaṃdhatoyena kuśapuṣpodakena ca | hiraṇyaratnatoyaiśca maṃtrasiddhairyathākramam

Translation

Man bade (den Śiva-Liṅga) mit duftendem Wasser und auch mit Wasser, das durch Kuśa-Gras und Blumen geheiligt ist; dann, der rechten Reihenfolge gemäß, mit durch Mantras ermächtigtem Wasser, das mit Gold und Edelsteinen durchwirkt ist.

Word by Word

• स्नापयेत्: should bathe (it)
• स्नापयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative sense: ‘to cause to bathe’)

• गन्ध-तोयेन: with scented water
• गन्ध-तोयेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (गन्धयुक्तं तोयम्)

• कुश-पुष्प-उदकेन: with water containing kuśa and flowers
• कुश-पुष्प-उदकेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश + पुष्प + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कुशपुष्पयुक्तम् उदकम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• हिरण्य-रत्न-तोयैः: with water (mixed/associated) with gold and gems
• हिरण्य-रत्न-तोयैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिरण्य + रत्न + तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (हिरण्यरत्नसम्बद्धानि तोयानि/हिरण्यरत्नयुक्तैः तोयैः)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• मन्त्र-सिद्धैः: consecrated by mantras
• मन्त्र-सिद्धैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्त्र + सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine) / (तोयैः इति सह) तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मन्त्रेण सिद्धाः)

• यथा-क्रमम्: in proper sequence
• यथा-क्रमम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights graded sanctification of abhiṣeka waters—from scented to mantra-siddha—teaching that mantra (śabda-śakti) is the chief purifier and conduit of grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It teaches that external offerings become spiritually potent when ordered by śāstra and enlivened by mantra—devotion (bhakti) and purity refine the worshipper’s bond with Pati (Śiva), loosening pāśa (bondage) through disciplined sacred action.

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

The verse is a direct instruction for liṅga-abhisheka, honoring Śiva in a worshippable (saguṇa) form; the materials—fragrance, kuśa, flowers, and mantra-charged waters—express reverence while pointing the mind toward Śiva’s inner, transcendent reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform abhisheka in prescribed sequence using sanctified water (with kuśa and flowers) while reciting Śiva mantras (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), making the offering mantra-siddha—ritual and japa united.