Shloka 3

Śivarātri-vrata Udyāpana-vidhi

Completion Rite for the Śivarātri Observance

Devanagari script

चतुर्दशाब्दं कर्तव्यं शिवरात्रिव्रतं शुभम् । एकभक्तं त्रयोदश्यां चतुर्दश्यामुपोषणम्

Transliteration

caturdaśābdaṃ kartavyaṃ śivarātrivrataṃ śubham | ekabhaktaṃ trayodaśyāṃ caturdaśyāmupoṣaṇam

Translation

The auspicious vow of Śivarātri should be observed for fourteen years. On the thirteenth (lunar day) one should take a single meal, and on the fourteenth one should keep a fast.

Word by Word

• चतुर्दशाब्दम्: (for) fourteen years
• चतुर्दशाब्दम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दश + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (‘चतुर्दश अब्दाः’ = fourteen years)

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Vidhi (विधि/obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त भाव्य/विधेय कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be done/should be performed’

• शिवरात्रिव्रतम्: the Śivarātri vow
• शिवरात्रिव्रतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिवरात्रि + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘शिवरात्रेः व्रतम्’ = vow of Śivarātri)

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘व्रतम्’

• एकभक्तम्: single-meal (diet)
• एकभक्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘एकं भक्तम्’/‘एकवारं भुक्तिः’ sense: single meal)

• त्रयोदश्याम्: on the thirteenth (lunar day)
• त्रयोदश्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रयोदशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• चतुर्दश्याम्: on the fourteenth (lunar day)
• चतुर्दश्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उपोषणम्: fasting
• उपोषणम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उप-वास् (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन (कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: भाववाचक कृदन्त (action noun), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific episode; the verse legislates the long-term Śivarātri-vrata (caturdaśābda) as a discipline culminating in Śiva’s grace.

Significance: Vrata-observance on caturdaśī is presented as a direct means to purification of pāśa (bondage) and eligibility for Śiva’s anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Śivarātri as a long-term sādhana: sustained vow (vrata), restraint, and devotion that purifies the pashu (bound soul) and turns the mind toward Pati (Śiva), supporting liberation-oriented bhakti.

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

Śivarātri vrata is traditionally paired with night vigil and Liṅga worship; the regulated diet and fasting prepare the devotee for focused pūjā of Saguna Śiva as the accessible form of the Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical discipline is outlined: ekabhakta on Trayodaśī and upoṣaṇa (fasting) on Caturdaśī, typically complemented by mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and night-long remembrance of Śiva.