Shloka 27

Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ

Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship

Devanagari script

भगीरथादयो भूपा बहवो नृपसत्तमाः । शिवपूजाकरा ज्ञेयाः शिववेषविधायिनः

Transliteration

bhagīrathādayo bhūpā bahavo nṛpasattamāḥ | śivapūjākarā jñeyāḥ śivaveṣavidhāyinaḥ

Translation

Bhagīratha and other kings—many of them the finest among rulers—are to be known as devoted performers of Śiva-worship, for they adopted the outward marks and disciplined observances of Śiva’s devotees.

Word by Word

• भगीरथादयः: Bhagīratha and others
• भगीरथादयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगीरथ + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष: ‘भगीरथः आदिः येषाम्’ (Bhagīratha and others)

• भूपाः: kings
• भूपाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बहवः: many
• बहवः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• नृपसत्तमाः: best of kings
• नृपसत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘नृपाणां सत्तमाः’

• शिवपूजाकराः: performers of Śiva worship
• शिवपूजाकराः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + पूजा + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष: ‘शिवस्य पूजां करोति’ (doer of Śiva-worship)

• ज्ञेयाः: to be known (as)
• ज्ञेयाः: Vidhi/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + य (प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (gerundive/भाव्य), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग; विधिलिङ्गार्थ: ‘should be known’

• शिववेषविधायिनः: adopters of Śiva’s dress/guise
• शिववेषविधायिनः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + वेष + विधायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तत्पुरुष: ‘शिवस्य वेषं विधत्ते’ (one who adopts Śiva’s attire)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; it emphasizes ‘śiva-veṣa’—external marks/observances of Śaiva devotees—suggesting a social-religious identity of Śaiva kings and patrons.

Significance: Encourages adopting Śaiva observances (veṣa, vrata-like discipline) as a public commitment that supports inner devotion; also reflects historical patterns of royal patronage of Śaiva institutions.

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhagiratha

FAQs

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

It praises ideal rulers like Bhagīratha as exemplars of Śiva-bhakti, teaching that true nobility is shown by sustained Śiva-pūjā and the disciplined life of a devotee oriented to Pati (Śiva) rather than mere worldly power.

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

Śiva-pūjā in the Purāṇic context commonly centers on Saguna Śiva through the Śiva-liṅga; the verse highlights consistent worship and devotional observances (veṣa), which traditionally accompany liṅga-arcana and pilgrimage-oriented Kotirudra themes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to regular Śiva-pūjā along with Śaiva devotee observances—such as wearing Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), using rudrākṣa, and maintaining mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a disciplined daily practice.