Shloka 38

Maṇḍala–Pūjā–Homa Krama

Maṇḍala Worship and Homa Sequence for the Disciple

Devanagari script

तदग्रे शिष्यमानीय शुद्धस्फटिकनिर्मलम् । प्रक्षाल्य कर्तरीं पश्चाच्छिवशास्त्रोक्तमार्गतः

Transliteration

tadagre śiṣyamānīya śuddhasphaṭikanirmalam | prakṣālya kartarīṃ paścācchivaśāstroktamārgataḥ

Translation

Then, bringing the disciple before him, he should take a pair of scissors—spotless and clear like pure crystal—wash it, and thereafter proceed in the manner prescribed in the scriptures of Śiva.

Word by Word

• tat-agre: thereafter/in front of that
• tat-agre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (अव्ययीभाव) used adverbially; locative sense: 'in front of that/thereafter'

• śiṣyam: the disciple
• śiṣyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ānīya: having brought
• ānīya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā+nī (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), 'having brought'

• śuddha-sphaṭika-nirmalam: pure, crystal-clear, spotless
• śuddha-sphaṭika-nirmalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + sphaṭika (प्रातिपदिक) + nirmala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); karmadhāraya chain: 'pure, crystal(-like), spotless' (qualifying an implied object, e.g., instrument/knife)

• prakṣālya: having washed
• prakṣālya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+kṣāl (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), 'having washed'

• kartarīm: the scissors/knife (cutting instrument)
• kartarīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kartarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• paścāt: afterwards
• paścāt: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paścāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• śiva-śāstra-ukta-mārgataḥ: according to the path taught in Śiva’s scripture
• śiva-śāstra-ukta-mārgataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + śāstra (प्रातिपदिक) + ukta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Avyayībhāva (अव्ययीभाव) with ablatival adverbial suffix -tas (तस्): 'according to/from the path stated in the Śiva-śāstra'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śuddhi (purification) and strict adherence to Śiva-śāstra as prerequisites for a disciple’s transformative rite—outer cleanliness reflecting inner readiness for Śiva’s grace (anugraha) in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

By insisting on the Śaiva-scriptural method, it frames all ritual acts—whether for Liṅga worship or other observances—as valid and fruitful only when performed according to Śiva’s prescribed vidhi, honoring Saguna Śiva through disciplined procedure.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A preparatory rite: bringing the disciple forward and purifying the ritual instrument (here, scissors) before proceeding—indicating a formal, rule-based Shaiva observance connected with initiation or regulated practice.