Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28

पूजाविधिः

Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances

Devanagari script

मुद्रामेकां प्रदर्श्यैव पूजयेद्विघ्नहारकम् । सिंदुरादिपदार्थैश्च सिद्धिबुद्धिसमन्वितम्

Transliteration

mudrāmekāṃ pradarśyaiva pūjayedvighnahārakam | siṃdurādipadārthaiśca siddhibuddhisamanvitam

Translation

定められた一つのムドラー（印相）を示して、障碍を除くガネーシャを礼拝すべし。さらに朱（シンドゥーラ）などの供物で荘厳し、シッディとブッディを従える御方を供養せよ。

Word by Word

• मुद्राम्: hand-gesture/seal
• मुद्राम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• एकाम्: one
• एकाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative, Singular; मुद्राम् इति विशेषण

• प्रदर्श्य: having shown
• प्रदर्श्य: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दृश् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक; having shown

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधारणार्थक (emphatic)

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Optative, 3rd person, Singular

• विघ्नहारकम्: remover of obstacles
• विघ्नहारकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विघ्न-हारक (प्रातिपदिक); विघ्न + हारक
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular; पूजयेत् इति कर्म

• सिंदुरादि-पदार्थैः: with substances like vermilion etc.
• सिंदुरादि-पदार्थैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिंदुर-आदि-पदार्थ (प्रातिपदिक); सिंदुर + आदि + पदार्थ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; पूजनस्य करणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• सिद्धिबुद्धि-समन्वितम्: endowed with success and intellect
• सिद्धिबुद्धि-समन्वितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिद्धि-बुद्धि-समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक); सिद्धि + बुद्धि + समन्वित
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular; विघ्नहारकम् इति विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This is a standard parivāra-prakriyā: Gaṇeśa (vighnahara) is worshipped first with specific substances (sindūra etc.) to ensure the main Śiva-pūjā proceeds without impediment.

Significance: Affirms the practical theology of ‘removal of obstacles’ before approaching Pati; in Siddhānta, orderly worship reduces pāśa (bondage) by cultivating purity, discipline, and divine support.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Ganesha
• Siddhi
• Buddhi

FAQs

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

It teaches that spiritual practice should begin by removing inner and outer impediments through devotion to Vighnaharta (Gaṇeśa), so that Shiva-worship proceeds without distraction and the seeker gains steadiness, siddhi (right attainment) and buddhi (right discernment).

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

In Shaiva ritual order, Gaṇeśa is worshipped first to clear obstacles before commencing Saguna Shiva worship (including Liṅga-pūjā). This safeguards the rite and aligns the devotee’s intention, making the subsequent Shiva-upāsanā fruitful.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform a prescribed mudrā, then offer sindūra and related auspicious substances to Gaṇeśa as Vighnaharta; the takeaway is to begin any japa or pūjā with obstacle-removal invocation before proceeding to Shiva’s mantra and worship.