Shloka 28

Kṣaura-Snāna-Vidhi — Rite of Tonsure/Shaving and Purificatory Bath (Śaiva Procedure)

Devanagari script

ततश्शुद्धमना भूत्वा कुर्य्यान्मध्यंदिनक्रियाः । महेश्वरं नमस्कृत्य गुरूंस्तीर्थादिकानि च

Transliteration

tataśśuddhamanā bhūtvā kuryyānmadhyaṃdinakriyāḥ | maheśvaraṃ namaskṛtya gurūṃstīrthādikāni ca

Translation

Then, having made the mind pure, one should perform the midday observances. Bowing first to Maheśvara, Lord Śiva, and also offering reverence to one’s gurus and to the sacred tīrthas and the like, one should proceed with the rite.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter
• tataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (thereafter)

• śuddha-manāḥ: with a purified mind
• śuddha-manāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (शुद्ध प्रातिपदिक) + manas (मनस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (śuddhaṃ manaḥ yasya saḥ = one whose mind is pure)

• bhūtvā: having become
• bhūtvā: Kriyā (क्रियापूर्वक/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having become’

• kuryāt: should perform
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• madhyaṃdina-kriyāḥ: midday rites
• madhyaṃdina-kriyāḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhyaṃdina (मध्यंदिन प्रातिपदिक) + kriyā (क्रिया प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (madhyaṃdinasya kriyāḥ = midday rites)

• maheśvaram: Maheśvara (Śiva)
• maheśvaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maheśvara (महेश्वर प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• namaskṛtya: having bowed to
• namaskṛtya: Kriyā (क्रियापूर्वक/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: namas-kṛ (नमस्+कृ धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having saluted’

• gurūn: teachers/gurus
• gurūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (गुरु प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन

• tīrtha-ādikāni: sacred places and the like
• tīrtha-ādikāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (तीर्थ प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (आदि प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन; ‘tīrthāni ādikāni’ (etc. including sacred places)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva daily discipline as taught in the Kailasa Samhita context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Reverence to Maheśvara, guru, and tīrthas frames daily observance within śiva-sambandha and dharma, sustaining the aspirant’s steady practice (sthiti).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Guru
• Tirtha

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shaiva practice is grounded in inner purification (śuddha-manāḥ) and humility—beginning all daily rites by honoring Pati (Śiva), then the Guru and sacred supports (tīrthas) that steady devotion and dharma.

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

By instructing one to bow to Maheśvara before the rites, it aligns daily observance with Saguna Śiva worship—typically expressed through Liṅga-pūjā—where reverence and right order (Śiva → Guru → tīrtha) sanctify the ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform the midday (madhyāhna) observances with a purified mind, beginning with namaskāra to Śiva; in Shaiva practice this commonly accompanies mantra-japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and respectful remembrance of the Guru and holy places.