Shloka 20

Adhyaya 79 — Bhakti-Mahima and Linga-Archana-Vidhi

Condensed Ritual Sequence

Devanagari script

केवलं चापि शुद्धान्नम् आढकं तण्डुलं पचेत् कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं चान्ते नमस्कृत्य मुहुर्मुहुः

Transliteration

kevalaṃ cāpi śuddhānnam āḍhakaṃ taṇḍulaṃ pacet kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṃ cānte namaskṛtya muhurmuhuḥ

Translation

ಕೇವಲ ಶುದ್ಧ ಅನ್ನವನ್ನೂ—ಒಂದು ಆಢಕ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದ ಅಕ್ಕಿಯನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು—ಬೇಯಿಸಬೇಕು. ನಂತರ ಅಂತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರದಕ್ಷಿಣೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಮರುಮರು ನಮಸ್ಕರಿಸಬೇಕು.

Word by Word

• kevalam: only, simple

• ca api: and also

• śuddha-annam: pure food/clean meal

• āḍhakam: an āḍhaka measure (a traditional dry measure)

• taṇḍulam: rice (grain)

• pacet: he should cook

• kṛtvā: having done

• pradakṣiṇam: circumambulation (clockwise)

• ca ante: and at the end

• namaskṛtya: having saluted/bowed

• muhur muhuḥ: repeatedly, again and again

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja injunctions to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It prescribes a sattvic, purified offering (simple cooked rice) and completes worship with pradakṣiṇā and repeated prostrations—outer acts that train the pashu (soul) toward surrender to Pati (Śiva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva is approached as Pati, the worthy recipient of pure offerings and reverent circumambulation; repeated namaskāra expresses the devotee’s recognition of His supremacy and the soul’s dependence amid pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A basic Shiva-pūjā practice is highlighted: preparing śuddhānna-naivedya, performing pradakṣiṇā, and doing muhur-muhuḥ namaskāra—disciplining body and mind in devotional concentration.