Shloka 18

भोजन-आह्वान-प्रकरणम् — The Episode of Invitation and the Divine Feast

Devanagari script

अनूपमम्महादिव्यं विचित्रं सुमनोहरम् । चित्ताह्लादकरं नानारचनारचितस्थलम्

Transliteration

anūpamammahādivyaṃ vicitraṃ sumanoharam | cittāhlādakaraṃ nānāracanāracitasthalam

Translation

It was incomparable—supremely celestial, wondrous, and exceedingly enchanting; it gladdened the mind, and its grounds were fashioned with many kinds of artistic designs and arrangements.

Word by Word

• अनूपम्: unparalleled
• अनूपम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• महादिव्यम्: very divine
• महादिव्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महच्च तत् दिव्यं च)

• विचित्रम्: variegated / wondrous
• विचित्रम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सु-मनोहरम्: very charming
• सु-मनोहरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-प्राय) + मनोहर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सुन्दरं मनोहरम्)

• चित्त-आह्लाद-करम्: causing delight to the mind
• चित्त-आह्लाद-करम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक) + आह्लाद (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—चित्तस्य आह्लादं करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• नाना-रचना-रचित-स्थलम्: having a ground arranged with many designs
• नाना-रचना-रचित-स्थलम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + रचना (प्रातिपदिक) + रचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—नानाविधया रचनया रचितं स्थलम् (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष-प्रायः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse highlights how a sacred, divinely ordered place naturally uplifts the citta (mind), supporting bhakti and inner purification—key steps toward Shiva’s grace in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

By describing a wondrous, carefully fashioned sacred environment, the text points to Saguna worship—where Shiva is approached through consecrated forms and spaces (such as a linga-shrine) that focus devotion and contemplation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Create or seek a clean, beautified worship space and practice steady japa (especially of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) so the mind becomes delighted, settled, and fit for Shiva-dhyāna.