Shloka 6

Brahmā–Viṣṇu-Pūjā: Upacāra-Vistāra and Īśvara’s Prasāda

Offerings in Shiva Worship and the Lord’s Grace

Devanagari script

पतियोग्यैः पश्वलभ्यैस्तौ समर्चयतां पतिम् । यद्यच्छ्रेष्ठतमं वस्तु पतियोग्यं हितद्ध्वजे

Transliteration

patiyogyaiḥ paśvalabhyaistau samarcayatāṃ patim | yadyacchreṣṭhatamaṃ vastu patiyogyaṃ hitaddhvaje

Translation

With offerings that are fit for the Lord (Pati) and obtainable to embodied beings, let them worship Pati (Śiva). Whatever is the very best among things—so long as it is suitable for Pati—should be offered, O one whose banner is for the welfare (of all).

Word by Word

• पति-योग्यैः: with things fit for the husband (Śiva)
• पति-योग्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति-योग्य (प्रातिपदिक; पति + योग्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• पशु-लभ्यैः: obtainable from animals
• पशु-लभ्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पशु-लभ्य (प्रातिपदिक; पशु + लभ्य)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया बहुवचन; instrumental plural; विशेषण

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा द्विवचन; nominative dual (pronoun)

• समर्चयताम्: let them worship
• समर्चयताम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थे), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; imperative, 3rd person dual; परस्मैपद

• पतिम्: the Lord/husband (Śiva)
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; accusative singular

• यत्: whatever
• यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; relative pronoun (what/whatever)

• यत्: whatever
• यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; correlative repetition (whatever)

• श्रेष्ठतमम्: the very best
• श्रेष्ठतमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठतम (प्रातिपदिक; superlative)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; superlative adjective

• वस्तु: thing, substance
• वस्तु: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; nominative/accusative singular

• पति-योग्यम्: fit for the Lord (Śiva)
• पति-योग्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति-योग्य (प्रातिपदिक; पति + योग्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; adjective qualifying वस्तु

• हितत्: O (one) of auspicious banner (reading uncertain)
• हितत्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हितत् (प्रातिपदिक; uncertain reading)
• Form: अव्यक्त/पाठभेद; सम्भाव्यं ‘हित’ (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) इति; here taken as vocative compound member with ध्वजे

• ध्वजे: O banner/standard (epithet)
• ध्वजे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन; vocative singular

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva (Pati) is best approached through sincere worship using offerings that are both appropriate to Him and attainable for ordinary devotees—emphasizing devotion and right intention over extravagance.

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

It supports Saguna worship of Śiva—especially Liṅga-pūjā—by directing devotees to offer the best available items that are ‘patiyogya’ (fit for Śiva), aligning external ritual with inner reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Offer the best accessible, Śiva-appropriate materials in pūjā (e.g., water, bilva leaves, simple naivedya) while maintaining bhakti; accompany worship with japa such as the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as one’s capacity allows.