Shloka 3

Śivarātri-vrata Udyāpana-vidhi

Completion Rite for the Śivarātri Observance

Devanagari script

चतुर्दशाब्दं कर्तव्यं शिवरात्रिव्रतं शुभम् । एकभक्तं त्रयोदश्यां चतुर्दश्यामुपोषणम्

Transliteration

caturdaśābdaṃ kartavyaṃ śivarātrivrataṃ śubham | ekabhaktaṃ trayodaśyāṃ caturdaśyāmupoṣaṇam

Translation

Le vœu auspicious de Śivarātri doit être observé pendant quatorze ans. Le treizième jour, on ne prendra qu’un seul repas, et le quatorzième, on gardera le jeûne.

Word by Word

• चतुर्दशाब्दम्: (for) fourteen years
• चतुर्दशाब्दम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दश + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (‘चतुर्दश अब्दाः’ = fourteen years)

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Vidhi (विधि/obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त भाव्य/विधेय कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be done/should be performed’

• शिवरात्रिव्रतम्: the Śivarātri vow
• शिवरात्रिव्रतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिवरात्रि + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘शिवरात्रेः व्रतम्’ = vow of Śivarātri)

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘व्रतम्’

• एकभक्तम्: single-meal (diet)
• एकभक्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘एकं भक्तम्’/‘एकवारं भुक्तिः’ sense: single meal)

• त्रयोदश्याम्: on the thirteenth (lunar day)
• त्रयोदश्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रयोदशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• चतुर्दश्याम्: on the fourteenth (lunar day)
• चतुर्दश्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्दशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उपोषणम्: fasting
• उपोषणम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उप-वास् (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन (कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: भाववाचक कृदन्त (action noun), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific episode; the verse legislates the long-term Śivarātri-vrata (caturdaśābda) as a discipline culminating in Śiva’s grace.

Significance: Vrata-observance on caturdaśī is presented as a direct means to purification of pāśa (bondage) and eligibility for Śiva’s anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Śivarātri as a long-term sādhana: sustained vow (vrata), restraint, and devotion that purifies the pashu (bound soul) and turns the mind toward Pati (Śiva), supporting liberation-oriented bhakti.

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

Śivarātri vrata is traditionally paired with night vigil and Liṅga worship; the regulated diet and fasting prepare the devotee for focused pūjā of Saguna Śiva as the accessible form of the Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical discipline is outlined: ekabhakta on Trayodaśī and upoṣaṇa (fasting) on Caturdaśī, typically complemented by mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and night-long remembrance of Śiva.