Shloka 20

Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca

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

Devanagari script

सन्तर्प्य विधिवद्भक्त्या समुदं गिरिशं स्मरन् । समर्च्य कालहस्तीशं चन्द्रकांतसमप्रभम्

Transliteration

santarpya vidhivadbhaktyā samudaṃ giriśaṃ smaran | samarcya kālahastīśaṃ candrakāṃtasamaprabham

Translation

Having duly offered the prescribed tarpaṇa with devotion, and remembering Girīśa (Lord Śiva) with a tranquil mind, one should worship Kālahastīśa, radiant with a splendor equal to moonstone.

Word by Word

• सन्तर्प्य: having satisfied (offered satiation)
• सन्तर्प्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सन्तर्प् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), धातु: सन्तर्प्, अर्थ: तृप्तिं कृत्वा/सन्तर्पणं कृत्वा

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• समुदम्: Samuda (name/epithet)
• समुदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• गिरिशम्: Giriśa (Lord of the mountain, Śiva)
• गिरिशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरिश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• स्मरन्: remembering
• स्मरन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय वर्तमान कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; धातु: स्मृ

• समर्च्य: having worshipped
• समर्च्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), धातु: सम्+अर्च्

• कालहस्तीशम्: Kālahastīśa (Lord of Kālahasti)
• कालहस्तीशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कालहस्तीश (प्रातिपदिक: कालहस्ति+ईश)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: कालहस्तेः ईशः

• चन्द्रकान्तसमप्रभम्: having a lustre equal to moonstone
• चन्द्रकान्तसमप्रभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्रकान्तसमप्रभ (प्रातिपदिक: चन्द्रकान्त+सम+प्रभ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying kālahastīśam)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Kālahastīśa is approached through bhakti, smaraṇa (remembrance), and vidhivat-santarpana; the kṣetra-devatā is praised as candrakānta-sama-prabha (moonstone-like radiance), a local iconographic/theophanic descriptor.

Significance: Teaches the Siddhānta movement from kriyā (ritual satisfaction/offerings) to yoga (smaraṇa with calm mind) culminating in darśana/arcana—anugraha mediated through disciplined devotion.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that outer ritual (vidhi) becomes spiritually fruitful only when joined with inner serenity and conscious remembrance of Pati (Śiva); such bhakti-oriented worship purifies the pashu (bound soul) and turns the mind toward liberation.

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

By directing the devotee to ‘properly worship’ Kālahastīśa, it emphasizes Saguna-Śiva worship through arcana—approaching the formless Lord via a worshipful form (commonly the Liṅga) while sustaining meditative smaraṇa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform the prescribed offerings with devotion, keep a calm mind, and practice Śiva-smaraṇa while doing formal worship (arcana); as a practical takeaway, repeat the Panchākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’ during the offering and worship.