Shloka 22

शिवध्यानपूजनवर्णनम्

Description of Śiva Meditation and Worship

Devanagari script

एवन्ध्यात्वाऽथ गंधाद्यैरुपचारैरनुक्रमात् । संपूज्य पूर्वद्वारस्य दक्षशाखामुपाश्रितम्

Transliteration

evandhyātvā'tha gaṃdhādyairupacārairanukramāt | saṃpūjya pūrvadvārasya dakṣaśākhāmupāśritam

Translation

Thus, having first meditated, one should then worship in proper sequence with offerings such as sandal-paste and the rest; and, having fully honored that which abides by the southern branch at the eastern doorway.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (manner adverb)

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated
• ध्यात्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having meditated’

• अथ: then
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरार्थक (then/thereupon)

• गन्ध-आद्यैः: with perfumes etc.
• गन्ध-आद्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘गन्धादयः’ (perfume etc.)

• उपचारैः: with offerings/services
• उपचारैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• अनुक्रमात्: in sequence
• अनुक्रमात्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनुक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावप्राय/तसिल्-अन्त अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (in due order, sequentially)

• संपूज्य: having worshipped
• संपूज्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having worshipped fully’

• पूर्व-द्वारस्य: of the eastern gate
• पूर्व-द्वारस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘पूर्वं द्वारम्’

• दक्ष-शाखाम्: the right branch/side
• दक्ष-शाखाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + शाखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘दक्षा शाखा’ (right-side branch)

• उपाश्रितम्: situated at / having resorted to
• उपाश्रितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-आ-श्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘having resorted to/being situated at’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that worship of Shiva should begin with dhyāna (inner recollection) and then proceed through orderly upacāras, showing that outer ritual is meant to be grounded in inward devotion and discipline.

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

By prescribing gandha and other services in sequence, the verse points to saguna-upāsanā—reverent, tangible offerings to Shiva (often as the Liṅga) as a means to steady the mind and mature bhakti toward Pati (Lord Shiva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

First perform dhyāna of Shiva, then offer upacāras such as sandal paste/fragrance and related services in proper order, focusing attention on the sanctified directions/locations of the shrine (here, the eastern entrance and its southern side).