Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

नानाचित्रविचित्राढ्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्म्मणा । रत्नेन्द्रसाररचितैराचितं हारकैर्वरैः

Transliteration

nānācitravicitrāḍhyaṃ nirmitaṃ viśvakarmmaṇā | ratnendrasāraracitairācitaṃ hārakairvaraiḥ

Translation

Fashioned by Viśvakarman, it was filled with many marvelous and varied designs, and it was adorned with excellent necklaces made from the finest essence of the lordly gems.

Word by Word

• नाना: various
• नाना: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Indeclinable), बहुविधार्थ (various)

• चित्र: wonderful/variegated
• चित्र: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); समासाङ्ग (compound member)

• विचित्र: diverse/remarkable
• विचित्र: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-चित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• आढ्यम्: rich/abounding
• आढ्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Singular)

• निर्मितम्: constructed/made
• निर्मितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-मा (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Singular)

• विश्वकर्मणा: by Viśvakarman
• विश्वकर्मणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्वकर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular)

• रत्नेन्द्रसाररचितैः: with those made of the essence of best gems
• रत्नेन्द्रसाररचितैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न + इन्द्र + सार + रचित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (रत्नानाम् इन्द्रः = श्रेष्ठरत्न; तस्य सारः; तेन रचित), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Mas/Neut), तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• आचितम्: adorned/filled
• आचितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-चि (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Singular)

• हारकैः: with necklaces/garlands
• हारकैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वरैः: excellent
• वरैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse is part of the narrative describing the wondrous royal/divine dwelling prepared for Śiva in the Himālaya context (Himavān’s hospitality for the divine marriage cycle), not a Jyotirliṅga māhātmya.

Significance: Evokes the idea that all celestial splendor is subordinate to Śiva’s presence; inspires bhakti and the attitude of offering one’s best to the Lord.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Vishvakarman

FAQs

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

The verse highlights divine craftsmanship and beauty as offerings that elevate bhakti—external splendor symbolizes inner purity and focused devotion toward Śiva-Śakti rather than mere worldly luxury.

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

By describing sacred adornment and perfected form, it supports Saguna worship—devotees honor Śiva (and Śakti) through consecrated spaces, ornaments, and reverent presentation, which steadies the mind for contemplation of the higher, Nirguna reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests devotional upacāra (reverential offerings): beautifying the shrine, offering garlands/ornaments, and mentally visualizing the divine abode while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” as an inner act of adornment.