Shloka 32

ब्रह्माण्डदान-प्रशंसा तथा ब्रह्माण्ड-प्रमाण-वर्णनम्

Praise of the Gift of the Cosmic Egg and Description of the Brahmāṇḍa’s Measure

Devanagari script

भूषणान्यतिशुभ्राणि गंधाढ्यं चानुलेपनम् । वीणावेणुमृदंगानां स्वना गेयानि च द्विज

Transliteration

bhūṣaṇānyatiśubhrāṇi gaṃdhāḍhyaṃ cānulepanam | vīṇāveṇumṛdaṃgānāṃ svanā geyāni ca dvija

Translation

There are exceedingly radiant ornaments, and unguents rich with fragrance; and, O twice-born one, the resonant sounds of vīṇā, flute, and mṛdaṅga, along with songs to be sung.

Word by Word

• भूषणानि: ornaments
• भूषणानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अति-शुभ्राणि: very bright/white
• अति-शुभ्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (अव्यय) + शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समास (अति शुभ्राणि) विशेषण (भूषणानि इत्यस्य)

• गन्ध-आढ्यम्: rich in fragrance
• गन्ध-आढ्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्ध + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (गन्धेन आढ्यम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अनुलेपनम्: anointing/unguent
• अनुलेपनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वीणा-वेणु-मृदङ्गानाम्: of vīṇās, flutes, and mṛdaṅgas
• वीणा-वेणु-मृदङ्गानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीणा + वेणु + मृदङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे नपुंसकत्वं सम्भवति; अत्र षष्ठी बहुवचन), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास

• स्वनाः: sounds
• स्वनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गेयानि: to be sung/singable
• गेयानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (स्वनाः/गीतवस्तूनि इत्यर्थे)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• द्विज: O twice-born (brāhmaṇa)
• द्विज: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages, addressing a brāhmaṇa as 'dvija')

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a shrine-origin; it continues the catalogue of refined enjoyments (ornaments, perfumes, music) characteristic of karmaphala-bhoga realms.

Significance: Didactic: highlights sensory refinement as a form of bondage when pursued as an end; points implicitly to redirecting sound/beauty toward stotra, nāda, and Śiva-upāsanā.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

FAQs

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

It highlights that refined, pure offerings—fragrance, adornment, and sacred music—can become instruments of bhakti when directed to Pati (Śiva), transforming sense-objects into devotion rather than bondage.

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

These are classic upacāras (services) of Saguna worship: gandha/anulepana and gīta-vādya (song and instruments) offered to Śiva (often before the Liṅga), expressing reverence through sound, scent, and purity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

In Śiva-pūjā, offer fragrant sandal paste (anulepana) and accompany worship with stotra/saṅkīrtana or gentle vādya; inwardly, keep the mind steady on Śiva while sound and fragrance become supports for remembrance (smaraṇa).