Shloka 45

Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)

Devanagari script

आस्नानादिप्रणामान्तं पूजयन्वृषभध्वजम् । मंत्रवादित्रपूजाभिस्सर्षीणां सन्निधौ तथा

Transliteration

āsnānādipraṇāmāntaṃ pūjayanvṛṣabhadhvajam | maṃtravāditrapūjābhissarṣīṇāṃ sannidhau tathā

Translation

He should worship Lord Shiva—the One whose banner bears the bull—performing the rites from the ceremonial bath onward up to the final prostration, and offering worship accompanied by mantra-recitation and sacred music, in the reverent presence of the sages as well.

Word by Word

• आस्नानादि-प्रणामान्तम्: ending with prostration, beginning with bathing etc.
• आस्नानादि-प्रणामान्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आस्नान + आदि + प्रणाम + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्; (आस्नानादि यावत् प्रणामान्तं)

• पूजयन्: worshipping
• पूजयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्तः (present active participle); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• वृषभध्वजम्: the Bull-bannered (Śiva)
• वृषभध्वजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषभ + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (वृषभः ध्वजः यस्य—शिवः)

• मन्त्र-वादित्र-पूजाभिः: with worship involving mantras and instruments
• मन्त्र-वादित्र-पूजाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + वादित्र + पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (मन्त्रपूजा च वादित्रपूजा च)

• ऋषीणाम्: of the sages
• ऋषीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• सन्निधौ: in the presence
• सन्निधौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम् (adverb; ‘thus/likewise’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines a complete pūjā-krama (from snāna to praṇāma) with mantra and vāditra, mirroring temple liturgy; such ordered worship is a Siddhānta upacāra leading to Śiva’s prasāda.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rishis
• Nandi

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva-worship is a complete sādhana: purity (snāna), disciplined ritual sequence, and humble surrender (praṇāma), done with reverence before realized sages—aligning the devotee toward Shiva’s grace (anugraha) and liberation.

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

By naming Shiva as Vṛṣabhadhvaja, it emphasizes saguna devotion—worship of the manifest Lord (often through the Śiva-liṅga) using prescribed upacāras from bath to final obeisance, supported by mantra and devotional observances.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform a full Shiva-pūjā sequence from ritual bathing to final prostration, with mantra-japa/recitation (e.g., pañcākṣarī) and devotional music; do it in the company or remembrance of sages/saints to strengthen śraddhā and focus.