Shloka 67

पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्

Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon

Devanagari script

यावत्संगवकालं तु धनुर्मासो विधीयते । धनुर्मासे निराहारो मासमात्रं जितेंद्रियः

Transliteration

yāvatsaṃgavakālaṃ tu dhanurmāso vidhīyate | dhanurmāse nirāhāro māsamātraṃ jiteṃdriyaḥ

Translation

The observance called Dhanurmāsa is prescribed up to the Saṅgava time (mid-morning). During Dhanurmāsa, one should remain without food for a full month, having restrained and mastered the senses.

Word by Word

• yāvat: as long as; up to the extent
• yāvat: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yāvat (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; correl. adverb/relative measure (यावत् = as long as/so long)

• saṃgava-kālam: the time of saṃgava (forenoon)
• saṃgava-kālam: Kāla (काल/समय-परिमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃgava + kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine; Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया); Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध: saṃgavasya kālaḥ)

• tu: but; indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle/conjunction (निपात) indicating contrast/emphasis

• dhanur-māsaḥ: the Dhanur month (Dhanurmāsa)
• dhanur-māsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus + māsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine; Nominative (1st/प्रथमा); Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास (धनुषः मासः)

• vidhīyate: is prescribed/ordained
• vidhīyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhā (धा) with vi- + passive
• Form: Present tense (लट्); Passive voice (कर्मणि प्रयोग); 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष); Singular (एकवचन)

• dhanur-māse: in Dhanurmāsa
• dhanur-māse: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanus + māsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine; Locative (7th/सप्तमी); Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास

• nir-āhāraḥ: without food; fasting
• nir-āhāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir + āhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine; Nominative (1st/प्रथमा); Singular; adjective used substantively; prefix nir- (without)

• māsa-mātram: for (only) one month
• māsa-mātram: Kāla (काल/अवधि)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māsa + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter; Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया); Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास (मासस्य मात्रम् = only a month/for a month)

• jita-indriyaḥ: one who has conquered the senses
• jita-indriyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (√ji, जि; क्त/कृदन्त) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine; Nominative (1st/प्रथमा); Singular; बहुव्रीहि-समास (जितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य सः)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Rudra

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Dhanurmāsa austerity (fasting, sense-restraint) is framed as a discipline that weakens pāśa (bondage through desire and karmic accretions), preparing the soul for Śiva’s grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It praises disciplined tapas—fasting and sense-restraint—as a purifier of the pashu (bound soul), making the mind fit for Shiva-bhakti and grace, which is central to Shaiva Siddhanta soteriology.

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

Fasting and indriya-nigraha function as supportive disciplines for Saguna Shiva worship—helping the devotee approach the Linga with steadiness, purity, and focused devotion rather than mere external ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A Dhanurmāsa vrata: maintain fasting (or strict regulated intake) until Saṅgava time, cultivate sense-control, and pair the observance with Shiva-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and daily Linga-pūjā where possible.