Shloka 33

महाकालज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्ये चन्द्रसेन-चिन्तामणि-प्रसङ्गः

Mahākāla Jyotirliṅga Māhātmya: The Episode of King Candrasena and the Cintāmaṇi

Devanagari script

हिरण्मयबृहद्द्वारं कपाटवरतोरणम् । महार्हनीलविमलवज्रवेदीविराजितम्

Transliteration

hiraṇmayabṛhaddvāraṃ kapāṭavaratoraṇam | mahārhanīlavimalavajravedīvirājitam

Translation

It had a vast doorway gleaming like gold, with splendid doors and an excellent ornamental arch; it shone with a precious, deep-blue, immaculate diamond-like altar-platform.

Word by Word

• हिरण्मय-बृहत्-द्वारम्: a great golden gate
• हिरण्मय-बृहत्-द्वारम्: कर्म (Object—elliptic, describing ‘it’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिरण्मय (प्रातिपदिक) + बृहत् (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-कर्मधारय-समास (golden + great + gate), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (as a whole)

• कपाट-वर-तोरणम्: with fine door-panels and an arch
• कपाट-वर-तोरणम्: कर्म (Object—elliptic, describing ‘it’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कपाट (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक) + तोरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (‘excellent door-panels and arch’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण (as a whole)

• महार्ह-नील-विमल-वज्र-वेदी-विराजितम्: adorned with very precious, blue, spotless diamond platforms
• महार्ह-नील-विमल-वज्र-वेदी-विराजितम्: कर्म (Object—elliptic, describing ‘it’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महार्ह (प्रातिपदिक) + नील (प्रातिपदिक) + विमल (प्रातिपदिक) + वज्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदी (प्रातिपदिक) + विराजित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √राज्)
• Form: समाहार-तत्पुरुष/बहुपद-समास (वेदीभिः विराजितम्; adorned with platforms), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahākāla

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara

Sthala Purana: The kṣetra is described through ‘divine architecture’: golden threshold and a vajra-like vedī indicate the indestructible sanctity of Mahākāla’s abode, accessible by devotion and grace.

Significance: Crossing the ‘threshold’ symbolizes entry from saṃsāric time into Śiva’s lordship over Time; pilgrims seek protection, purification, and steadiness of mind.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse sanctifies the shrine by portraying it as radiant, pure, and jewel-like—symbolizing the inner sanctum of consciousness where Pati (Shiva) is approached through purity (vimala) and reverent awe.

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

By describing the grand gateway and altar-platform, it frames the devotee’s approach to Saguna Shiva in the temple—outer splendor guiding the mind inward toward the Linga’s presence and the grace that leads beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Approach-dhyāna: enter the shrine mentally with cleanliness and steadiness, repeating the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while visualizing a pure, radiant altar where the mind is offered like an oblation.