Shloka 16

भोजन-आह्वान-प्रकरणम् — The Episode of Invitation and the Divine Feast

Devanagari script

रत्नप्रदीपशतकैर्ज्वलद्भिर्ज्वलितं श्रिया । रत्नपात्रघटाकीर्णं मुक्तामणिविराजितम्

Transliteration

ratnapradīpaśatakairjvaladbhirjvalitaṃ śriyā | ratnapātraghaṭākīrṇaṃ muktāmaṇivirājitam

Translation

Cela flamboyait d’une splendeur de bon augure, éclairé par des centaines de lampes rayonnantes faites de joyaux. L’endroit était rempli de coupes et de jarres de pierres précieuses, et resplendissait de perles et de gemmes.

Word by Word

• रत्न-प्रदीप-शतकैः: with hundreds of jeweled lamps
• रत्न-प्रदीप-शतकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रदीप (प्रातिपदिक) + शतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—(रत्नप्रदीपाणां शतकानि) इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष, तैः (instrumental)

• ज्वलद्भिः: blazing
• ज्वलद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वल् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle) ‘ज्वलत्’; पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; (प्रदीपशतकैः) इत्यस्य विशेषण

• ज्वलितम्: illumined / lit up
• ज्वलितम्: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वल् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (गृहं/स्थानम्) इत्यादि नपुंसकस्य विशेषण

• श्रिया: by splendor
• श्रिया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रत्न-पात्र-घट-आकीर्णम्: filled with jeweled vessels and pots
• रत्न-पात्र-घट-आकीर्णम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + घट (प्रातिपदिक) + आकीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—रत्नमयैः पात्रैः घटैश्च आकीर्णम् (निर्धारणार्थे तत्पुरुष-प्रायः)

• मुक्ता-मणि-विराजितम्: adorned with pearls and gems
• मुक्ता-मणि-विराजितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + मणि (प्रातिपदिक) + विराजित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—मुक्तामणिभिः विराजितम् (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse highlights “śrī” (auspicious splendor) as an outer sign of inner sanctity—when a space is dedicated to the Divine, it becomes radiant and orderly, supporting bhakti and elevating the mind toward Shiva-tattva.

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

Such descriptions frame Saguna worship: lamps, purity, and beautiful offerings prepare the devotee’s senses and attention for reverent approach to Shiva (often through the Linga) and to Shiva-Shakti together, where devotion becomes steady and concentrated.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Offer dīpa (lamp-light) and keep the worship area clean and auspicious; while lighting the lamp, silently repeat the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to unify outward offering with inward remembrance.