Shloka 18

Śivarātri-vrata Udyāpana-vidhi

Completion Rite for the Śivarātri Observance

Devanagari script

ततः संप्रार्थयेद्देवं महेशानं महाप्रभुम् । कृतांजलिर्नतस्कन्धस्सुप्रीत्या गद्गदाक्षरः

Transliteration

tataḥ saṃprārthayeddevaṃ maheśānaṃ mahāprabhum | kṛtāṃjalirnataskandhassuprītyā gadgadākṣaraḥ

Translation

Then, with palms joined and shoulders bowed in humility, one should earnestly pray to Maheśāna, the great and all-glorious Lord, speaking with deep devotion, the voice trembling with reverent emotion.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रम/कालवाचक; Adverb ‘then/thereafter’

• सम्प्रार्थयेत्: should beseech
• सम्प्रार्थयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-प्र-अर्थ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Parasmaipada; ‘should pray/beseech’

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• महेशानम्: Maheśāna
• महेशानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• महाप्रभुम्: the great lord
• महाप्रभुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाप्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular; समास: महा + प्रभु (great lord)

• कृताञ्जलिः: with joined palms
• कृताञ्जलिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; समास: कृतः अञ्जलिः यस्य (hands joined)

• नतस्कन्धः: with bowed shoulders
• नतस्कन्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नत + स्कन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; समास: नतः स्कन्धः (bowed shoulders/neck)

• सुप्रीत्या: with great devotion/pleasure
• सुप्रीत्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• गद्गदाक्षरः: with faltering words
• गद्गदाक्षरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गद्गद + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; समास: गद्गदानि अक्षराणि यस्य (stammering syllables)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse functions as a general upāsanā-vidhi (how to approach Śiva) within a Koṭirudra/Jyotirliṅga-oriented worship frame: the devotee approaches the Lord with humility (añjali, bowed posture) and heartfelt supplication prior to/alongside liṅga-pūjā.

Significance: Establishes śaraṇāgati-bhāva (refuge-taking) as the inner prerequisite for fruitful darśana and pūjā at any Śiva-sthāna, including Jyotirliṅgas.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Maheśāna, Mahāprabhu)

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva-worship is fulfilled not only by external rites but by inner bhāva—humility (nata-skandha), reverence (kṛtāñjali), and heartfelt devotion so intense that the voice trembles in surrender to Maheśāna.

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

In Jyotirliṅga and liṅga-worship, Saguna Shiva is approached as the compassionate Lord who receives prayer; this verse emphasizes the proper devotional posture and emotional sincerity that should accompany darśana, abhiṣeka, and stuti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests a prayerful upāsanā: stand or sit before Shiva with añjali, bow in humility, and recite stotra or the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") slowly with concentrated devotion, letting the mind soften into surrender.