Shloka 56

पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्

Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon

Devanagari script

गंधपुष्पान्नदानेन भोग्यवृद्धिर्भवेन्नृणाम्

Transliteration

gaṃdhapuṣpānnadānena bhogyavṛddhirbhavennṛṇām

Translation

Durch das Darbringen von Duftstoffen, Blumen und Speise in der Verehrung erlangen die Menschen eine Zunahme an bhogya—an rechtmäßigem Genuss und an Lebensunterhalt.

Word by Word

• गंधपुष्पान्नदानेन: by the donation of fragrance, flowers, and food
• गंधपुष्पान्नदानेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध-पुष्प-अन्न-दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (गन्धः च पुष्पं च अन्नं च—तेषां दानम्)

• भोग्यवृद्धिः: increase of enjoyables/comforts
• भोग्यवृद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग्य-वृद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भोग्यस्य वृद्धिः)

• भवेत्: may occur
• भवेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• नृणाम्: of men/people
• नृणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General statement on offerings (gandha, puṣpa, anna) and their fruit; not tied to a specific shrine.

Significance: Encourages standard pūjā-upacāras and dāna as means to increase bhogya (legitimate enjoyables/provisions).

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere devotional offerings (gandha, puṣpa, and anna) made to Śiva refine one’s karma and bring orderly, dharmic prosperity—supporting a life conducive to devotion and eventual liberation.

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

These are standard upacāras of Liṅga-pūjā: fragrance and flowers honor Saguna Śiva’s accessible form, while food offering (naivedya/anna-dāna) expresses surrender and gratitude, drawing Śiva’s grace into worldly and spiritual wellbeing.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform Śiva-pūjā with gandha and flowers and offer naivedya or anna-dāna; mentally dedicate the offering to Śiva with the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as an inner act of bhakti.