Shloka 18

Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ

Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit

Devanagari script

गायत्रीजपशुद्धो हि शुद्धब्राह्मण उच्यते । तस्माद्दाने जपे होमे पूजायां सर्वकर्मणि

Transliteration

gāyatrījapaśuddho hi śuddhabrāhmaṇa ucyate | tasmāddāne jape home pūjāyāṃ sarvakarmaṇi

Translation

One who is purified by the japa of the Gāyatrī is indeed called a pure brāhmaṇa. Therefore, in charity, in mantra-recitation, in fire-offerings (homa), in worship, and in every rite, such purity is to be upheld as the proper qualification.

Word by Word

• गायत्री-जप-शुद्धः: purified by recitation of the Gāyatrī
• गायत्री-जप-शुद्धः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक) + जप (प्रातिपदिक) + शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘गायत्रीजपेन शुद्धः’ (purified by Gayatrī-japa)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निपात (emphasis)

• शुद्ध-ब्राह्मणः: a pure Brahmin
• शुद्ध-ब्राह्मणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘शुद्धः ब्राह्मणः’

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive/कर्मणि), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद-रूप

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative), एकवचन; ‘therefore/from that’

• दाने: in giving (charity)
• दाने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• जपे: in recitation
• जपे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• होमे: in (fire) offering
• होमे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• पूजायाम्: in worship
• पूजायाम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• सर्व-कर्मणि: in every rite/action
• सर्व-कर्मणि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘सर्वेषु कर्मसु’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s dharma to the sages at Naimisharanya within the Vidyeshvara teachings)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse links Vedic mantra-discipline (Gāyatrī-japa) with ritual eligibility (adhikāra) for dāna, japa, homa, and pūjā—presented as a purification ladder within Śiva-oriented dharma.

Significance: Establishes mantra-śuddhi as a prerequisite for effective worship and offerings; encourages disciplined daily japa as preparation for Śiva-pūjā.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ | tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi | dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt

Type: gayatri

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri

FAQs

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

It teaches that mantra-discipline (especially purifying japa) is not merely a formality but the foundation of adhikāra (eligibility) for sacred acts—so worship of Shiva becomes inwardly sincere and spiritually effective, not just external ritual.

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

Linga-pūjā and Saguna Shiva worship require steadiness and purity of mind; the verse frames mantra-purity as the prerequisite that makes offerings, worship, and rites truly acceptable and fruitful in Shiva’s devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular mantra-japa as a purifier—supporting all rites such as dāna, homa, and pūjā; in Shaiva practice this naturally aligns with disciplined japa (often alongside Shiva-mantras) performed with cleanliness, restraint, and focused intention.