Shloka 2

संन्यासमण्डलविधिवर्णनम्

Sannyāsa Maṇḍala Vidhi—Procedure for the Renunciate Mandala

Devanagari script

सुप्रलिप्ते महीपृष्ठे दर्पणोदरसन्निभे । अरत्नियुग्ममानेन चतुरस्रं प्रकल्पयेत्

Transliteration

supralipte mahīpṛṣṭhe darpaṇodarasannibhe | aratniyugmamānena caturasraṃ prakalpayet

Translation

On the ground, well-smeared and made smooth—shining like the inner face of a mirror—one should lay out a square, each side measuring two aratnis (two forearms).

Word by Word

• su-pralipte: on (a surface) well-plastered
• su-pralipte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + pralipta (कृदन्त; लिप् धातु, क्त)
• Form: Napumsaka, Locative (7th), Singular; past participle with intensifier su-; 'well-smeared/plastered'

• mahī-pṛṣṭhe: on the earth’s surface
• mahī-pṛṣṭhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक) + pṛṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Locative (7th), Singular; 'on the surface of the earth'

• darpaṇa-udara-sannibhe: (on a surface) like a mirror’s face
• darpaṇa-udara-sannibhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: darpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + udara (प्रातिपदिक) + sannibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Locative (7th), Singular; 'resembling the belly/surface of a mirror'

• aratni-yugma-mānena: by the measure of two cubits
• aratni-yugma-mānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aratni (प्रातिपदिक) + yugma (प्रातिपदिक) + māna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; 'by the measure of a pair of cubits'

• caturasram: a square (quadrilateral)
• caturasram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative (2nd), Singular; object to be made

• prakalpayet: should construct/arrange
• prakalpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-kḷp (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्, Optative), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Singular; parasmaipada

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights the Siddhānta principle that outer order (kriyā) stabilizes inner order; the ‘mirror-like’ ground symbolizes antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi enabling steady worship.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that outer purity and careful preparation of the worship-ground supports inner steadiness; in Shaiva practice, a clean and well-defined sacred space helps the mind turn toward Pati (Shiva) and away from pasha (bondage).

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

The verse gives a practical step for establishing a proper worship-area (a measured square) suitable for Linga-puja—honoring Saguna Shiva through precise, reverent ritual form that steadies devotion and concentration.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prepare a smooth, clean altar-space and mark a square of two aratnis; then proceed with Linga-puja using mantra (such as the Panchakshara) with focused attention in the consecrated area.