Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः

Agnikārya and Homa Procedure

Devanagari script

प्रक्षाल्य तापयेत्पात्रं प्रोक्षयेदन्यदंभसा । स्वसूत्रोक्तप्रकारेण कुण्डादौ विल्लिखेत्ततः

Transliteration

prakṣālya tāpayetpātraṃ prokṣayedanyadaṃbhasā | svasūtroktaprakāreṇa kuṇḍādau villikhettataḥ

Translation

Having washed the pātra (ritual vessel), one should heat it and then sprinkle it with other purifying water. Thereafter, in the manner prescribed in one’s own ritual sūtra, one should mark out the required lines and designs in the kuṇḍa and the related ritual area.

Word by Word

• प्रक्षाल्य: having washed
• प्रक्षाल्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + क्षल् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having washed’

• तापयेत्: should heat
• तापयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु) [णिच् causative: तापय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पात्रम्: the vessel
• पात्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• प्रोक्षयेत्: should sprinkle
• प्रोक्षयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + उक्ष् (धातु) [णिच् causative: प्रोक्षय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अन्यत्: another (one)
• अन्यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• अम्भसा: with water
• अम्भसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्भस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन

• स्वसूत्रोक्तप्रकारेण: by the method stated in one’s own sūtra
• स्वसूत्रोक्तप्रकारेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + सूत्र + उक्त + प्रकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; समासः—(स्वसूत्रे उक्तः) प्रकारः → स्वसूत्रोक्तप्रकारः

• कुण्डादौ: in the kuṇḍa etc.
• कुण्डादौ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुण्ड + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—कुण्ड-आदि (in the pit etc.)

• विल्लिखेत्: should draw/inscribe
• विल्लिखेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + लिख् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that disciplined outer purity—washing, heating, and sprinkling the worship-vessel and preparing the ritual space—supports inner purity (śuddhi) and steadiness of mind, making the devotee fit for Śiva-upāsanā and grace (anugraha).

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

Linga worship emphasizes śuddha-upacāra (pure offerings). This verse establishes the preparatory purification of utensils and the correct layout of the ritual area so that offerings to Saguna Śiva (as the Linga) are made in a consecrated, rule-aligned manner.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical rite of purification (prokṣaṇa) and orderly kunda/altar marking as per one’s sūtra—performed with mindful attention—serving as a meditative preparation before mantra-japa and formal Śiva-pūjā.