Shloka 44

Umāyāḥ Kriyāyoga-Rahasya

The Esoteric Teaching on Umā’s Kriyāyoga

Devanagari script

चन्दनागुरुकर्पूर मांसीमुस्तादियुग्जलैः । एकवर्णगवां क्षीरैः स्नापयेत्परमेश्वरीम्

Transliteration

candanāgurukarpūra māṃsīmustādiyugjalaiḥ | ekavarṇagavāṃ kṣīraiḥ snāpayetparameśvarīm

Translation

With water infused with sandalwood, agaru, camphor, and fragrant herbs such as māṃsī and mustā, and also with the milk of cows of one uniform color, one should bathe the Supreme Goddess, Parameśvarī.

Word by Word

• चन्दन-अगुरु-कर्पूर: sandalwood, aloe-wood, and camphor
• चन्दन-अगुरु-कर्पूर: Karaṇa (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक) + अगुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्पूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective dvandva) used as first member of compound with जलैः

• मांसी-मुस्ता-आदि-युक्त-जलैः: with water mixed with spikenard, musta, etc.
• मांसी-मुस्ता-आदि-युक्त-जलैः: Karaṇa (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मांसी (प्रातिपदिक) + मुस्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय) + युक्त (कृदन्त, √युज्) + जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; 'युक्त' = past participle (कृदन्त) qualifying जल; तृतीया-बहुवचन indicates instrument

• एक-वर्ण-गवाम्: of cows of one color
• एक-वर्ण-गवाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (गो), षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन; 'एकवर्ण' = adjective compound qualifying 'गवाम्' (of cows of one color)

• क्षीरैः: with milk
• क्षीरैः: Karaṇa (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन

• स्नापयेत्: should bathe (cause to be bathed)
• स्नापयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्ना (धातु) [णिच् causative: स्नापय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative meaning 'should cause to bathe'

• परमेश्वरीम्: the Supreme Goddess
• परमेश्वरीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed ritual procedures as taught in the Uma Samhita)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it is a dravya-vidhi verse prescribing fragrant waters and uniform-color cow’s milk for bathing Parameśvarī, emphasizing purity (śuddhi) and auspiciousness (maṅgala).

Significance: Models ideal abhiṣeka materials used in temples; encourages ‘sāttvika’ offerings and careful ritual purity.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that devotion becomes inwardly refined through outward purity—offering fragrant, sattvic substances in ritual bathing cultivates reverence and a focused mind, honoring Parameśvarī as the gracious power (Śakti) inseparable from Shiva.

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

It reflects Saguna upāsanā (worship with form and attributes): just as the Shiva-linga is bathed with sanctifying substances, Umā-Parameśvarī is bathed with fragrant waters and milk, affirming the Shaiva view of Shiva-Śakti unity in ritual and contemplation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests abhiṣeka (ritual bathing) using perfumed water and milk; during the offering, the practitioner may maintain japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") or a Devi/Shiva-Śakti mantra to steady devotion and concentration.