Shloka 41

गजाननपूजा तथा औपासन-होमविधिः

Worship of Gajānana and the Procedure of Aupāsana-Homa

Devanagari script

स्व शाखोक्तप्रकारेण पुरस्तात्तन्त्रकर्म्म च । निर्वर्त्य सर्पिषा मिश्रं चरुम्प्राश्य पुरोधसे

Transliteration

sva śākhoktaprakāreṇa purastāttantrakarmma ca | nirvartya sarpiṣā miśraṃ carumprāśya purodhase

Translation

First, according to the procedure taught in one’s own Vedic śākhā, one should duly complete the preliminary ritual acts. Then, having prepared the caru (oblation-rice) mixed with ghee, one should offer it to the purohita (officiating priest) and partake of it as consecrated prasāda.

Word by Word

• sva: one's own
• sva: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; used adjectivally with śākhā- ("by/according to one's own")

• śākhā-ukta-prakāreṇa: by the method stated in (one's) śākhā
• śākhā-ukta-prakāreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śākhā (प्रातिपदिक) + ukta (कृदन्त, √vac/वच्) + prakāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: śākhāyā uktaḥ prakāraḥ ("the method stated in the branch/tradition")

• purastāt: in front/beforehand
• purastāt: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purastāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb of time/place (क्रियाविशेषण)

• tantra-karmma: the tantric rite
• tantra-karmma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tantra (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: tantram eva karma ("tantric rite/action")

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction (समुच्चय)

• nirvartya: having performed
• nirvartya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir√vṛt (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), "having accomplished/performed"

• sarpiṣā: with ghee
• sarpiṣā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarpiṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• miśram: mixed
• miśram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: miśra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with caruṃ

• carum: the caru (sacrificial porridge)
• carum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• prāśya: having eaten
• prāśya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√aś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), "having eaten/tasted"

• purodhase: to the priest (purohita)
• purodhase: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purodhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Shiva-worship is strengthened by disciplined adherence to dharma: one should begin with proper preparatory rites and then receive sanctified offerings, cultivating purity, humility, and reverence in devotion.

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

In Saguna Shiva worship, especially in Linga-puja contexts, correct procedure (as per one’s tradition) and receiving consecrated food (prasada) are integral supports that steady the mind and align the devotee’s actions with the sacred intention of worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests performing the prescribed preliminary rites and using sanctified offerings (caru mixed with ghee) as prasada; inwardly, one may pair this with steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra, maintaining ritual purity and focused intention.