Shloka 32

दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse

Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

कृत्वा न्यासादिकं सर्वं संपूज्य विधिवच्छिवम् । संविधायेदं निर्व्यग्रश्शंकरं भक्तवत्सलम्

Transliteration

kṛtvā nyāsādikaṃ sarvaṃ saṃpūjya vidhivacchivam | saṃvidhāyedaṃ nirvyagraśśaṃkaraṃ bhaktavatsalam

Translation

Having performed all the preliminary rites such as nyāsa, and having duly worshipped Śiva according to the prescribed method, one should then, with an undistracted mind, carry out this observance—centering it on Śaṅkara, the Lord ever affectionate to His devotees.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-भावकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having done’

• न्यास-आदिकम्: nyāsa and related rites
• न्यास-आदिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यास (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; ‘न्यासः आदिः यस्य तत्’ (ādi-samāsa sense)

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• संपूज्य: having worshipped well
• संपूज्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-तुल्य कृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive) in -य form: ल्यप्/क्त्वा-अर्थे; ‘having duly worshipped’

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• संविधाय: having arranged
• संविधाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + वि + धा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-भावकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having arranged/organized’

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• निर्व्यग्रः: undistracted
• निर्व्यग्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्व्यग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• शंकरम्: Śaṅkara
• शंकरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भक्त-वत्सलम्: affectionate to devotees
• भक्त-वत्सलम्: Karma-anvaya (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘भक्तानां वत्सलः’ (genitive-tatpuruṣa), विशेषणम् (of शंकरम्)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating Śiva-worship procedure to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights the ‘vidhi’ (prescribed method) and mental one-pointedness as prerequisites for Śiva’s grace; applicable across Śiva temples and liṅga-sannidhis.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva’s worship should be preceded by inner-and-outer purification (nyāsa and allied rites) and completed with single-pointed attention, because Śaṅkara responds to sincere devotion with grace.

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

The verse emphasizes vidhivat pūjā—formal, scriptural worship—directed to Śiva as a personal Lord (Saguna), which in practice is commonly done through Śiva-liṅga worship supported by mantra and ritual placement (nyāsa).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform nyāsa (mantra-placement on the body), complete the prescribed pūjā, and then continue the observance with a steady, undistracted mind focused on Śiva—an instruction that naturally supports japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and dhyāna.