Shloka 21

हिमालयस्य निर्णयः — शिवाय पार्वत्याः प्रदाने

Himālaya’s Resolution to Give Pārvatī to Śiva

Devanagari script

हरिद्राकुंकुमैश्शैलश्मश्रूणि प्रत्यमार्जयत् । लौकिकाचारमाधाय मंगलायनमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

haridrākuṃkumaiśśailaśmaśrūṇi pratyamārjayat | laukikācāramādhāya maṃgalāyanamuttamam

Translation

With turmeric and vermilion, she gently wiped and cleansed the dust-laden rocky surfaces; and, observing proper worldly custom, she performed the most auspicious rite that leads to blessedness.

Word by Word

• haridrā-kuṃkumaiḥ: with turmeric and saffron
• haridrā-kuṃkumaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haridrā + kuṃkuma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.)/पुंलिङ्ग (m.) द्रव्यवाचक, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (हरिद्राच कुंकुमं च)

• śaila-śmaśrūṇi: the mountain’s moss/lichen (lit. ‘beards’)
• śaila-śmaśrūṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaila + śmaśru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (शैलस्य/शैले स्थितानि श्मश्रूणि = mountain’s ‘beard’ i.e., moss/lichen)

• prati-amārjayat: wiped/cleansed
• prati-amārjayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati + √mṛj (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्गः—प्रति

• laukika-ācāram: worldly custom
• laukika-ācāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laukika + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (लौकिकः आचारः)

• ādhāya: having adopted
• ādhāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/absolutive), ‘having adopted/undertaken’

• maṃgala-āyanam: auspicious rite/act
• maṃgala-āyanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṃgala + āyana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मङ्गलस्य आयनम् = auspicious rite/act)

• uttamam: excellent
• uttamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying maṃgalāyanam)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents outer cleansing and auspicious observance as symbols of inner purification—removing mala (impurity) and cultivating śuddhi (purity) so devotion to Śiva becomes fit to bear spiritual fruit.

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

The verse reflects the devotional discipline often surrounding Saguna worship—preparing the place and materials with auspicious substances before approaching Śiva’s presence (commonly through Liṅga-pūjā) with reverence and purity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple takeaway is pūrva-śuddhi: clean the worship space and adopt proper ācāra before japa or pūjā—then proceed with Śiva-mantra remembrance (such as the Pañcākṣarī) in a purified, auspicious state.