Shloka 19

Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca

Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

श्रीकालहस्तिशैलाख्यनगरे परमाद्भुते । सुवर्णमुखरीतोये स्नात्वा देवानृषीनपि

Transliteration

śrīkālahastiśailākhyanagare paramādbhute | suvarṇamukharītoye snātvā devānṛṣīnapi

Translation

In the supremely wondrous city called Śrī Kālahasti upon the sacred hill, having bathed in the waters of the Suvarṇamukharī, he performed tarpaṇa, offering ritual satisfaction to the gods and to the sages as well.

Word by Word

• श्री-कालहस्ति-शैल-आख्य-नगरे: in the city called Śrī-Kālahasti hill
• श्री-कालहस्ति-शैल-आख्य-नगरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + कालहस्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + शैल (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक) + नगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); अधिकरण (location)

• परम-अद्भुते: most wonderful
• परम-अद्भुते: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (adjective) नगरे-शब्दस्य

• सुवर्णमुखरी-तोये: in the water of (the river) Suvarṇamukharī
• सुवर्णमुखरी-तोये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर्णमुखरी (प्रातिपदिक) + तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); अधिकरण (location)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Preceding action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ऋषीन्: the sages
• ऋषीन्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle), समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (also/even)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Śrī Kālahasti is praised as a ‘paramādbhuta’ kṣetra; bathing in Suvarṇamukharī precedes tarpaṇa to devas and ṛṣis, establishing ritual eligibility for Śiva-darśana in the kṣetra.

Significance: Kṣetra-snānā and tarpaṇa are framed as purificatory acts that reduce pāśa (bondage via mala/karma) and prepare the paśu for Śiva’s anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas
• Rishis
• Sri Kalahasti
• Suvarnamukharī

FAQs

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

It highlights the Shaiva discipline of preparing oneself through tīrtha-snāna (sacred bathing) and respectful offerings to devas and ṛṣis, establishing purity and humility before approaching Lord Shiva’s grace.

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

Pilgrimage bathing and honoring divine beings are presented as supportive acts (aṅgas) of Saguna Shiva worship—purifying body-mind so the devotee may worship the Linga with steadiness, devotion, and right intention.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Tīrtha-snāna followed by tarpaṇa (water-offerings) to devas and ṛṣis; it can be paired with silent japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as a focused inner purification.