Shloka 3

Maṇḍala–Pūjā–Homa Krama

Maṇḍala Worship and Homa Sequence for the Disciple

Devanagari script

बद्धनेत्रेण शिष्येण पुष्पावकिरणे कृते । यत्रापतंति पुष्णाणि तस्य नामा ऽस्य संदिशेत्

Transliteration

baddhanetreṇa śiṣyeṇa puṣpāvakiraṇe kṛte | yatrāpataṃti puṣṇāṇi tasya nāmā 'sya saṃdiśet

Translation

When the disciple, with eyes bound, has scattered the flowers, the place where the flowers fall—its name should be pointed out to him, as the indicated sacred spot.

Word by Word

• baddha-netreṇa: with (the) eyes bound
• baddha-netreṇa: Karaṇa (करणम् / instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: baddha (√bandh, कृदन्त) + netra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya; Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; ‘with (his) eyes bound’

• śiṣyeṇa: by the disciple
• śiṣyeṇa: Karta (कर्ता) (agent in passive/absolute construction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• puṣpa-avakiraṇe: in the scattering of flowers
• puṣpa-avakiraṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरणम् / locus)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + avakiraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa; Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; in locative absolute with kṛte

• kṛte: when (it is) done
• kṛte: Kāla (काल / circumstance)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) → kṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त); Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; with puṣpāvakiraṇe forming locative absolute: ‘when ... is done’

• yatra: where
• yatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Relative adverb (देशवाचक)

• apatanti: fall down
• apatanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√pat (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• puṣpāṇi: flowers
• puṣpāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tasya: of that (place/person)
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• nāma: name
• nāma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of saṃdiśet

• asya: of this (maṇḍala/it)
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• saṃdiśet: should indicate/assign
• saṃdiśet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√diś (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion is guided by discipline and guru-instruction: the devotee surrenders personal preference (eyes bound) and accepts the revealed indication of the sacred place, cultivating humility and receptivity to Shiva’s grace.

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

The verse supports practical Saguna worship: offerings like flowers are used to identify and honor the chosen locus of Shiva’s presence (often a linga or sanctified space), after which the devotee is instructed in its proper name and observance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A guided puja practice: blindfolded flower-scattering to determine the designated spot for worship, followed by the guru’s instruction; it can be paired with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as the mind rests on the chosen place.