Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 41

अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः

Agnikārya and Homa Procedure

Devanagari script

आज्यसंस्कारपर्यंतं कृत्वा संशोध्य स्रक्स्रुवौ । गर्भाधानं पुंसवनं सीमन्तोन्नयनं ततः

Transliteration

ājyasaṃskāraparyaṃtaṃ kṛtvā saṃśodhya sraksruvau | garbhādhānaṃ puṃsavanaṃ sīmantonnayanaṃ tataḥ

Translation

Having performed the rites up to the ājya-saṃskāra (the consecration of ghee) and having purified the garland and the ladle, one should then proceed with the sacraments of garbhādhāna (conception), puṃsavana (begetting a worthy child), and sīmantonnayana (the hair-parting rite for the expectant mother).

Word by Word

• ājyasaṃskāra-paryantam: up to the ājya-saṃskāra
• ājyasaṃskāra-paryantam: Kāla/Avadhi (काल/अवधि)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ājya (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃskāra (प्रातिपदिक) + paryanta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound used adverbially; ‘up to/till the ghee-consecration’

• kṛtvā: having performed
• kṛtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), indeclinable verbal; ‘having done’

• saṃśodhya: having purified
• saṃśodhya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṃ-śudh (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), indeclinable verbal; ‘having purified’

• srak: garland
• srak: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: srak (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); first member of a dual object

• sruvau: (the) ladle(s)
• sruvau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sruva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Dual (द्विवचन) (as written); intended sense: ‘(srak and) sruva’ as objects to be purified

• garbhādhānam: garbhādhāna rite
• garbhādhānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: garbha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• puṃsavanam: puṃsavana rite
• puṃsavanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṃsavana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• sīmantonnayanam: sīmantonnayana rite
• sīmantonnayanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sīmanta (प्रातिपदिक) + unnayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: then/thereafter
• tataḥ: Kāla/Anukrama (काल/अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (अव्यय), sequence marker

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śuddhi (purity) and dharma through properly ordered saṃskāras, showing that disciplined, sanctified living becomes a support for Shaiva spiritual life and the pursuit of grace.

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

By highlighting purification of ritual implements and correct procedure, it aligns household rites with the same principle used in Śiva-liṅga worship: outer purity and inner reverence prepare the devotee to approach Saguna Shiva with sanctity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform preparatory purifications (saṃskāra/śodhana) before rites—keeping offerings and implements clean and consecrated; inwardly, maintain a focused, reverent mind while proceeding step-by-step according to injunction.