Shloka 9

Devanagari script

अवगुंण्ठ्यास्त्रमंत्रेण संरक्षार्थं प्रदर्शयेत् । धेनुमुद्रां च तेनैव प्रोक्षयेदस्त्रमंत्रतः

Transliteration

avaguṃṇṭhyāstramaṃtreṇa saṃrakṣārthaṃ pradarśayet | dhenumudrāṃ ca tenaiva prokṣayedastramaṃtrataḥ

Translation

For the sake of protection, one should display the Avaguṇṭhya (veiling) gesture with the Astra-mantra. Then, using that same mantra, one should show the Dhenu-mudrā and sprinkle consecrated water upon the worship materials or the place by means of the Astra-mantra.

Word by Word

• अवगुण्ठ्यास्त्रमन्त्रेण: by the avaguṇṭhya weapon-mantra
• अवगुण्ठ्यास्त्रमन्त्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवगुण्ठ्य + अस्त्र + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः—अवगुण्ठ्यास्त्रमन्त्रः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/निर्देश-तत्पुरुष), करण (instrument)

• संरक्षार्थम्: for protection
• संरक्षार्थम्: Prayojana/Hetu (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: संरक्षा + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; ‘अर्थम्’ इत्यव्ययप्रयोगः—हेतु/प्रयोजन (purpose)

• प्रदर्शयेत्: should display/show
• प्रदर्शयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• धेनुमुद्राम्: the dhenu-mudrā (cow gesture)
• धेनुमुद्राम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धेनु + मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—धेनुमुद्रा (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• तेन: by that (mantra/means)
• तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• प्रोक्षयेत्: should sprinkle
• प्रोक्षयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + उक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अस्त्रमन्त्रतः: by/from the weapon-mantra
• अस्त्रमन्त्रतः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अस्त्र + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित/अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्ययान्त) ‘-तः’ = ‘from/by means of’; आधार/उपायबोधक; समासः—अस्त्रमन्त्र (तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva ritual procedure to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Rakṣā-vidhi (protective enclosure) safeguards the worship from obstacles (vighna) and impurity; ritually ‘veils’ the space from hostile forces, enabling uninterrupted upāsanā.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: Astra-mantra is referenced (not quoted). In Śaiva ritual, it is commonly ‘oṃ phaṭ’ (or a longer astra formula) used for cutting/warding off impurities and obstacles.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that Śiva-worship begins with rakṣā (spiritual protection) and śuddhi (purification). By invoking the Astra-mantra and performing mudrās, the sādhaka establishes a protected sacred space so the mind becomes fit for devotion and grace (anugraha) from Pati, Lord Śiva.

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

Before approaching the Śiva-liṅga (Saguna focus for worship), the devotee ritually removes obstacles and negative influences through mantra-protection and sprinkling. This safeguards the sanctity of the liṅga-pūjā so the external rite supports inner concentration on Śiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It prescribes displaying Avaguṇṭhya and Dhenu mudrās while reciting the Astra-mantra, followed by prokṣaṇa (sprinkling) to consecrate and protect the worship area and materials—an essential preparatory step in traditional Śaiva pūjā.