Shloka 32

Ekādaśāhna-vidhiḥ (The Rite Prescribed for the Eleventh Day): Maṇḍala-racanā, Āvāhana, Mudrā, and Ativāhika-devatā Pūjā

Devanagari script

तत्रोपवेशयेद्भक्त्या साभ्यंगं कृतमज्जनान् । आहूय चतुरो विप्राञ्छिवभक्तान्दृढव्रतान्

Transliteration

tatropaveśayedbhaktyā sābhyaṃgaṃ kṛtamajjanān | āhūya caturo viprāñchivabhaktāndṛḍhavratān

Translation

Then, with devotion, he should seat them there—those who have been bathed after being anointed with oil—and, summoning four Brahmins who are steadfast in vows and devoted to Lord Śiva, he should proceed with the rite.

Word by Word

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• upaveśayet: should seat (them)
• upaveśayet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-viś (धातु) with causative
• Form: णिच्-प्रत्ययान्त (causative) from उप+√विश्; विधिलिङ् (Optative), 3rd person, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘should cause to sit/seat’

• bhaktyā: with devotion
• bhaktyā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• sa-abhyaṅgam: together with oil-massage
• sa-abhyaṅgam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपपद) + abhyaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (सह अभ्यङ्गः = साभ्यङ्गम् ‘with oil-massage’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective used with kṛtamajjanān

• kṛta-majjanān: those who have bathed
• kṛta-majjanān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त) + majjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कृतं मज्जनं येषाम्; past-participle based); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; qualifying implied ‘viprān’

• āhūya: having invited
• āhūya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Anterior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-hū (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; आ+√हू ‘having called/invited’

• caturo: four
• caturo: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; numeral adjective qualifying viprān

• viprān: Brahmins
• viprān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• śiva-bhaktān: devoted to Śiva
• śiva-bhaktān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: शिवस्य भक्ताः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; qualifying viprān

• dṛḍha-vratān: firm in vows
• dṛḍha-vratān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛḍha (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (दृढं व्रतं येषाम्/दृढव्रताः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; qualifying viprān

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Śiva-worship is grounded in purity and devotion: after bodily purification (abhyanga and bath), one honors the participants and invites vow-observant Śiva-devotee Brahmins, reflecting inner discipline (niyama) alongside outer rite.

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

By specifying preparation and qualified Śiva-bhaktas to be invited, the verse supports orderly Saguna worship—where the Liṅga-pūjā is performed with sanctity, proper hospitality, and devotion, ensuring the ritual becomes a vehicle for grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A preparatory purification practice is indicated: oil anointing (abhyanga) followed by bathing (snāna), then respectfully seating the purified participants and inviting four Śiva-devotee Brahmins—implying vrata-based discipline and bhakti-centered conduct before worship.