Shloka 21

Devanagari script

चतुर्थे दिवसे प्राप्ते चतुर्थीकर्म शुद्धितः । बभूव विधिवद्येन विना खण्डित एव सः

Transliteration

caturthe divase prāpte caturthīkarma śuddhitaḥ | babhūva vidhivadyena vinā khaṇḍita eva saḥ

Translation

When the fourth day arrived, the rite of the fourth day (caturthī-karma) was duly completed with purification; yet he remained broken and incomplete, as if deprived of the proper, ordained wholeness.

Word by Word

चतुर्थेon the fourth

दिवसेday

प्राप्तेwhen (it) had arrived

चतुर्थीthe fourth-day rite / caturthī

कर्मthe caturthī-rite

शुद्धितःfrom purification / by purification

बभूवbecame, came to be

विधिवत्properly

येनby which

विनाwithout

खण्डितःbroken, interrupted

एवindeed, just

सःhe/it

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Parvati

FAQs

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

It highlights that ritual purity and correct performance (vidhi) are valuable, but without inner integration and divine alignment, a person can still remain “broken” (khaṇḍita)—spiritually incomplete.

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

In Saguna Shiva worship, correct observance supports devotion, yet the verse implies that worship must culminate in inner steadiness and surrender to Shiva; otherwise, practice stays outward and does not restore wholeness before the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform rites with śuddhi (purification) and vidhi (proper method), and add inner practice—steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with devotion—so the observance becomes complete rather than merely formal.