Shloka 27

आवरणपूजावर्णनम् (Āvaraṇa-pūjā-varṇanam) — Description of Enclosure/Layered Worship

Devanagari script

पश्चिमाभिमुखं रौद्रं क्षेत्रपालं समर्चयेत् । यथाविधि विधानज्ञश्शिवप्रीत्यर्थमेव च

Transliteration

paścimābhimukhaṃ raudraṃ kṣetrapālaṃ samarcayet | yathāvidhi vidhānajñaśśivaprītyarthameva ca

Translation

Facing west, the worshipper should duly honor the fierce Kṣetrapāla, guardian of the sacred precinct, performing the rite exactly as prescribed—solely to please Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• paścima-abhimukham: west-facing
• paścima-abhimukham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paścima (प्रातिपदिक) + abhimukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘पश्चिमं अभिमुखम्’ (west-facing)

• raudram: fierce/raudra
• raudram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: raudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (agreeing with kṣetrapālam)

• kṣetrapālam: Kṣetrapāla (field/temple guardian)
• kṣetrapālam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣetra (प्रातिपदिक) + pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘क्षेत्रस्य पालः’ (guardian of the sacred precinct)

• samarcayet: should worship properly
• samarcayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + √arc (अर्च् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; उपसर्गः ‘सम्’; ‘he should duly worship’

• yathā-vidhi: according to the prescribed rule
• yathā-vidhi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; अर्थः—‘विधिपूर्वकम्’ (according to rule)

• vidhāna-jñaḥ: the knower of the rite
• vidhāna-jñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘विधानं जानाति’ (knower of procedure)

• śiva-prīti-artham: for Śiva’s satisfaction
• śiva-prīti-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + prīti (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘शिवस्य प्रीत्यर्थम्’ (for the sake of Śiva’s pleasure)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (only/indeed)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kshetrapala
• Rudra

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion to Śiva is supported by disciplined, scripturally-aligned worship, including honoring the sacred space and its guardian (Kṣetrapāla) so the rite becomes unobstructed and Śiva-pleasing.

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

Kṣetrapāla worship is a preparatory, protective limb of Saguna Śiva worship in a consecrated place—ensuring the Liṅga-pūjā proceeds with purity, order, and reverence to Śiva’s manifested presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform a preliminary offering to Kṣetrapāla facing west, following prescribed vidhi (rules); then proceed to Śiva worship with mantra and devotion, maintaining ritual correctness and inner steadiness.