Shloka 24

Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama

Devanagari script

कलशानां सहस्रं तु सौवर्णं राजतं तथा ताम्रजं मृन्मयं चैव सर्वतीर्थाम्बुपूरितम्

Transliteration

kalaśānāṃ sahasraṃ tu sauvarṇaṃ rājataṃ tathā tāmrajaṃ mṛnmayaṃ caiva sarvatīrthāmbupūritam

Translation

Indeed, one should arrange a thousand kalaśas—of gold, silver, copper, and also of clay—each filled with sacred waters gathered from all tīrthas (pilgrimage places), to be offered in Śiva’s worship.

Word by Word

• कलशानाम् (kalaśānām): of water-pots

• सहस्रम् (sahasram): a thousand

• तु (tu): indeed

• सौवर्णम् (sauvarṇam): made of gold

• राजतम् (rājatam): made of silver

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• ताम्रजम् (tāmrajam): made of copper

• मृन्मयम् (mṛnmayam): made of clay/earthen

• च एव (caiva): and also

• सर्वतीर्थ (sarvatīrtha): of all sacred fords/pilgrimage sites

• अम्बु (ambu): water

• पूरितम् (pūritam): filled

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja injunctions to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It emphasizes abhiṣeka as a central limb of liṅga-pūjā: offering many consecrated kalaśas filled with tīrtha-water symbolizes complete purification and devotional completeness directed to Pati (Śiva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By prescribing offerings gathered from “all tīrthas,” it implies Śiva-tattva as the inner ground of all sanctity—Pati who receives and transfigures the offerings of the paśu, aiding the loosening of pāśa through grace-oriented worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it highlights kalaśa-abhiṣeka with sarva-tīrtha-jala; yogically, it supports Pāśupata-oriented purification where disciplined worship and sacred elements become aids toward release from bondage.