Shloka 35

ब्राह्मणीमरणवर्णनम् (Account of the Brahmin Woman’s Death) — within Nandikeśvara-māhātmya

Devanagari script

श्राद्धदानादिकं भोज्यं कृत्वा विधिमनुत्तमम् । मंगलस्मरणं कृत्वा निर्जगाम गृहाद्द्विजः

Transliteration

śrāddhadānādikaṃ bhojyaṃ kṛtvā vidhimanuttamam | maṃgalasmaraṇaṃ kṛtvā nirjagāma gṛhāddvijaḥ

Translation

After arranging the food and offerings connected with śrāddha, charity, and related rites according to the excellent prescribed procedure, the twice-born brāhmaṇa, having invoked auspiciousness in sacred remembrance, departed from his home.

Word by Word

• śrāddha-dāna-ādikam: (acts) such as śrāddha and gifts
• śrāddha-dāna-ādikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrāddha (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक) + ādika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective dvandva): श्राद्धं च दानं च आदयः च

• bhojyam: food/meal (to be eaten/served)
• bhojyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhojya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु: कृ)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययवत् (indeclinable in use)

• vidhim: the rite/procedure
• vidhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• anuttamam: excellent, unsurpassed
• anuttamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् विधेः

• maṃgala-smaraṇam: remembrance of auspiciousness
• maṃgala-smaraṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṃgala (प्रातिपदिक) + smaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); तत्पुरुषः: मंगलस्य स्मरणम्

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु: कृ)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययवत्

• nirjagāma: went out, departed
• nirjagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir √gam (धातु: गम्)
• Form: लिट् (perfect/लिट्), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• gṛhāt: from the house
• gṛhāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), पञ्चमी (ablative/5th), एकवचन (singular)

• dvijaḥ: the brāhmaṇa (twice-born)
• dvijaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

It highlights that outward sacred journeys and Shiva-related vows are best begun after completing dharmic duties—śrāddha, dāna, and proper ritual order—then sanctifying the mind through maṅgala-smaraṇa, aligning action with purity and auspicious intent.

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

In Kotirudrasaṃhitā’s Jyotirlinga context, such preparatory rites and auspicious remembrance are the ethical and ritual foundation for approaching Saguna Shiva as the Jyotirlinga—worship is strengthened when the devotee first honors duty, lineage rites, and purity before darśana.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests beginning sacred undertakings with maṅgala-smaraṇa—an auspicious invocation such as remembering Shiva and reciting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—after completing śrāddha/dāna-related obligations in the proper vidhi.