Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

सम्पूजयेन्महेशानं भक्त्या परमया मुने । साम्बिकं ज्ञानदातारं पातारं त्रिभवस्य वै

Transliteration

sampūjayenmaheśānaṃ bhaktyā paramayā mune | sāmbikaṃ jñānadātāraṃ pātāraṃ tribhavasya vai

Translation

O sage, one should worship Maheśāna with the highest devotion—He who is united with Ambikā, the giver of true knowledge, and indeed the Protector and Savior of the three worlds.

Word by Word

• सम्पूजयेत्: should worship fully
• सम्पूजयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/Potential), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• महेशानम्: Mahēśāna (Śiva)
• महेशानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• परमया: supreme, highest
• परमया: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम्—भक्त्या (qualifies bhaktyā)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सम्बोधन विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन (singular)

• साम्बिकम्: the one with Ambikā (Śiva)
• साम्बिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम्बिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); महेशानम् इति कर्मपदस्य विशेषण/अप्पोज़िशन (apposition)

• ज्ञानदातारम्: giver of knowledge
• ज्ञानदातारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान-दा-तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—ज्ञानस्य दाता (giver of knowledge)

• पातारम्: protector
• पातारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पा-तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• त्रिभवस्य: of the three worlds
• त्रिभवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (singular); द्विगु-समासः—त्रयाणां भवानां (three worlds/three existences)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphatic)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Worship of Sāmbika Maheśāna is framed as the source of jñāna (saving knowledge) and protection of the worlds—pilgrimage merit is generalized as anugraha through bhakti.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that liberation-oriented worship is not mere ritualism: one must adore Maheśāna with supreme bhakti, recognizing Him as the bestower of jñāna and the compassionate protector who carries beings beyond worldly bondage—aligning with the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on Śiva’s grace and knowledge as the means to moksha.

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

By praising Śiva as “Sāmbika” (Śiva inseparable from Ambikā/Śakti), it supports Saguna worship where the devotee approaches the Lord with attributes and grace. In practical Shaiva tradition, this devotion is commonly expressed through Liṅga-pūjā, where Śiva is honored as the living presence who grants knowledge and protection.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is “sampūjā” with paramā bhakti—complete worship. A fitting practice is daily Liṅga-arcana while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), coupled with contemplative remembrance of Śiva as Jñānadātā (giver of liberating insight).