Shloka 34

प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्

Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om

Devanagari script

प्रणवेन समभ्यर्च्य धूपदीपौ समर्पयेत् । ऐशान्यां चण्डमाराध्य निर्माल्यञ्च निवेदयेत्

Transliteration

praṇavena samabhyarcya dhūpadīpau samarpayet | aiśānyāṃ caṇḍamārādhya nirmālyañca nivedayet

Translation

Having duly worshipped with the Praṇava (Oṁ), one should offer incense and a lamp. Then, in the Īśāna (north‑eastern) direction, having propitiated Caṇḍa, one should also present the sacred remnants (nirmālya) as an offering.

Word by Word

• प्रणवेन: with the praṇava (Oṃ)
• प्रणवेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• समभ्यर्च्य: having duly worshipped
• समभ्यर्च्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+अभि+अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); having worshipped

• धूप-दीपौ: incense and lamp
• धूप-दीपौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक) + दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; Accusative dual

• समर्पयेत्: should offer
• समर्पयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+अर्प् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should offer

• ऐशान्यां: in the Īśāna (northeast) direction
• ऐशान्यां: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐशानी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular

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

• चण्डम्: Caṇḍa (a form/attendant)
• चण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular (deity-name)

• आराध्य: having propitiated
• आराध्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+राध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); having propitiated/worshipped

• निर्माल्यम्: the nirmālya (offering-remnants/garlands)
• निर्माल्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular

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

• निवेदयेत्: should present/offer
• निवेदयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+विद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should present/offer

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Chanda

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva-worship begins with the Praṇava (Oṁ)—the seed of mantra and consciousness—followed by offerings that symbolize inner purification (fragrance of virtue) and illumination (lamp of awareness), aligning the devotee with Īśāna, Śiva’s auspicious transcendent aspect.

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

The verse describes standard upacāras (services) used in Saguna worship of Śiva—especially Linga-pūjā—where mantra (Oṁ), dhoopa, and deepa are offered, and the consecrated nirmālya is treated as Śiva’s prasāda, reinforcing devotion and sanctity in embodied practice.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Chant Oṁ (Praṇava) with steady attention, then offer incense and a lamp; honor the Īśāna direction and respectfully handle nirmālya as sacred prasāda—an outward ritual that supports inward dhyāna on Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who liberates the bound soul.