Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

वासगेहमथागत्य धर्मो नारायणाज्ञया । उवाच शंकरं योगी योगीशं समयोचितम्

Transliteration

vāsagehamathāgatya dharmo nārāyaṇājñayā | uvāca śaṃkaraṃ yogī yogīśaṃ samayocitam

Translation

Lalu Dharma, atas perintah Nārāyaṇa, datang ke kediaman dan berbicara kepada Śaṅkara, penguasa para yogin, dengan kata-kata yang sesuai dengan saat itu.

Word by Word

• वास-गेहम्: the dwelling/house
• वास-गेहम्: कर्म (Object/goal as accusative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास (प्रातिपदिक) + गेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘वासस्य गेहम्’ (dwelling-house)

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (then)

• आगत्य: having come
• आगत्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/अव्ययभाव): ‘आगत्य’ = having come

• धर्मः: Dharma
• धर्मः: कर्ता (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• नारायण-आज्ञया: by Nārāyaṇa’s command
• नारायण-आज्ञया: हेतु/निमित्त (Cause/Instrumental)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘नारायणस्य आज्ञा’

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शंकरम्: to Śaṅkara
• शंकरम्: सम्प्रदान/प्रति (Addressee/कर्म-प्रति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• योगी: the yogi
• योगी: कर्ता (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• योगीशम्: the lord of yogis
• योगीशम्: सम्प्रदान/प्रति (Addressee/कर्म-प्रति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगीश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• समय-उचितम्: appropriate to the occasion
• समय-उचितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समय (प्रातिपदिक) + उचित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थ: ‘समये उचितम्’ (appropriate to the occasion)

Speaker

Dharma (personified), acting under Nārāyaṇa’s instruction

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Dharma
• Narayana
• Shiva (Shankara)

FAQs

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

It portrays Śiva as Yogīśvara, the supreme spiritual authority, while Dharma itself approaches Him in humility—showing that righteous order and yogic realization ultimately align with Śiva’s lordship (Pati) in Shaiva understanding.

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

By naming Śiva as Śaṅkara and Yogīśa, the verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching the personal Lord who responds within time and circumstance; such approach is the devotional mood behind Linga worship as the accessible form of the transcendent.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is disciplined, time-appropriate worship: approach Śiva with yogic restraint and dharmic conduct—supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady meditation on Śiva as Yogīśvara.