Shloka 41

प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्

Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om

Devanagari script

आधारशक्त्यनन्तौ द्वौ पीठाधस्तात्समर्चयेत् । सिंहासनन्तदूर्ध्वन्तु समभ्यर्च्य यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

ādhāraśaktyanantau dvau pīṭhādhastātsamarcayet | siṃhāsanantadūrdhvantu samabhyarcya yathākramam

Translation

पीठ के नीचे आधार-शक्ति और अनन्त—इन दोनों का विधिपूर्वक पूजन करे। फिर अनन्त के ऊपर सिंहासन का क्रम से अर्चन करे।

Word by Word

• आधार-शक्ति-अनन्तौ: Ādhāraśakti and Ananta (the two)
• आधार-शक्ति-अनन्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आधार (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; Dvandva naming two deities; Nominative dual

• द्वौ: two
• द्वौ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; numeral adjective agreeing with the dual subject

• पीठ-अधस्तात्: beneath the pedestal
• पीठ-अधस्तात्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पीठ (प्रातिपदिक) + अधस्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; अव्यय (स्थानवाचक) ‘beneath the pedestal’

• समर्चयेत्: should worship
• समर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should worship

• सिंहासन-अन्त-तत्-ऊर्ध्वम्: above that, on the upper part of the throne
• सिंहासन-अन्त-तत्-ऊर्ध्वम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सिंहासन (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; स्थानवाचक-अव्ययार्थः ‘above that, at the end/top of the throne’ (textual compound phrase)

• तु: indeed/and then
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोध (particle: but/indeed)

• समभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped
• समभ्यर्च्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + अभि + अर्च् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यबन्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); having duly worshipped

• यथा-क्रमम्: in proper sequence
• यथा-क्रमम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; क्रियाविशेषण ‘in due order’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Ananta
• Ādhāra-Śakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva-worship is not random but ordered: honoring the supporting principles (Ādhāra-Śakti and Ananta) before the seat symbolizes grounding devotion in cosmic support, so the mind becomes steady and fit to approach the Lord.

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

In Saguna worship of the Śiva-liṅga, the pedestal and throne are not mere objects; they are ritually visualized as sacred supports. Worshipping them first sanctifies the ‘adhāra’ (foundation) of the liṅga’s presence, making the subsequent offerings to Shiva complete.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests a step-by-step pūjā-krama: worship the base beneath the pīṭha (Ādhāra-Śakti and Ananta), then worship the siṃhāsana above—mentally placing Shiva on a consecrated throne while repeating a Shiva mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).