Shloka 52

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

बलिदानं ततः कृत्वा भूरिभोजनमाचरेत् । ततः संप्रार्थ्य देवेशं जपं तावत्समापयेत्

Transliteration

balidānaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā bhūribhojanamācaret | tataḥ saṃprārthya deveśaṃ japaṃ tāvatsamāpayet

Translation

Then, having made the prescribed offering (bali), one should arrange a plentiful feeding (for devotees and the needy). Thereafter, having earnestly prayed to the Lord of the gods—Śiva—one should properly conclude the japa for that period.

Word by Word

• बलि-दानम्: offering of oblation (bali)
• बलि-दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलि (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (बलेः दानम्)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — क्रम/अपादानार्थे ‘thereafter/from that’

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; पूर्वक्रिया

• भूरि-भोजनम्: abundant feeding/meal
• भूरि-भोजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूरि (प्रातिपदिक) + भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (भूरि च तत् भोजनम्)

• आचरेत्: one should perform
• आचरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) — ‘thereafter’

• सम्-प्रार्थ्य: having earnestly prayed
• सम्-प्रार्थ्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + प्र + √अर्थ्/√प्रार्थ् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund) ‘प्रार्थ्य’; अव्ययभावः; पूर्वक्रिया

• देव-ईशम्: the Lord of gods
• देव-ईशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानाम् ईशः)

• जपम्: mantra-recitation
• जपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• तावत्: to that extent
• तावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाणवाचक-अव्यय (adverb) — ‘so much/that far’

• सम्-आपयेत्: one should complete/finish
• सम्-आपयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + √आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: Kāśī-centered ritual ethos: bali (protective offering) and bhūri-bhojana (annadāna) are framed as supportive limbs to Śiva-sādhana, integrating worship with compassion and social dharma.

Significance: Annadāna and bali after pūjā are treated as grace-bearing auxiliaries that stabilize japa and convert ritual merit into purification and welfare for beings.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva-worship is completed not only by mantra-japa but also by compassionate giving—bali and abundant feeding—followed by heartfelt prayer, integrating devotion (bhakti), right action, and disciplined practice.

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

In Saguna Śiva worship (such as Linga-pūjā), offerings and service to beings are treated as service to Śiva; the verse places bali and annadāna as natural extensions of honoring the Devesha who is present in the Linga and in all devotees.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform bali as prescribed, conduct generous annadāna/feeding, then offer a concluding prayer to Śiva and formally complete the allotted japa—especially fitting for Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) done with purity and devotion.