Shloka 12

Śiva-Naivedya-Grāhyatā-Nirṇayaḥ

On the Proper Acceptance and Merit of Śiva’s Consecrated Food-Offering

Devanagari script

अन्यदीक्षायुजां नॄणां शिवभक्तिरतात्मनाम् । शृणुध्वं निर्णयं प्रीत्या शिवनैवेद्यभक्षणे

Transliteration

anyadīkṣāyujāṃ nṝṇāṃ śivabhaktiratātmanām | śṛṇudhvaṃ nirṇayaṃ prītyā śivanaivedyabhakṣaṇe

Translation

മറ്റു ദീക്ഷകൾ ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിലും ഹൃദയം ശിവഭക്തിയിൽ ലീനമായിരിക്കുന്നവരേ—ശിവന്റെ നൈവേദ്യം ഭക്ഷിക്കുന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള നിശ്ചിത വിധി സന്തോഷത്തോടെ കേൾക്കുവിൻ।

Word by Word

• अन्य-दीक्षा-युजाम्: of those having other initiations
• अन्य-दीक्षा-युजाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + दीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + युज्/युज् (प्रातिपदिक from √युज्, 'joined')
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; 'of those connected with another initiation'

• नॄणाम्: of men/people
• नॄणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• शिव-भक्ति-रत-आत्मनाम्: of those whose minds are devoted to Śiva-devotion
• शिव-भक्ति-रत-आत्मनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (कृदन्त, √रम्) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; बहुपद-समास: 'whose selves are devoted to Śiva-bhakti'

• शृणुध्वम्: listen (you all)
• शृणुध्वम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/लोट्), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• निर्णयम्: decision/conclusion
• निर्णयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्णय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• प्रीत्या: with affection/joy
• प्रीत्या: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-भाव (instrumental: 'with/through')

• शिव-नैवेद्य-भक्षणे: regarding the eating of Śiva’s naivedya
• शिव-नैवेद्य-भक्षणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative: 'in/with regard to')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse introduces an adjudication (nirṇaya) for those with ‘other dīkṣās’ yet devoted to Śiva—reflecting a broader tīrtha-temple reality where pilgrims of mixed affiliations seek Śiva-prasāda.

Significance: Frames inclusivity-by-devotion: even if initiated elsewhere, sincere Śiva-bhakti is acknowledged and given a rule-path for honoring Śiva’s prasāda properly.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It affirms that sincere Śiva-bhakti is the essential qualification, and then introduces an authoritative ruling on how to honor Śiva’s consecrated offering (naivedya/prasāda) as an expression of devotion and receptivity to grace.

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

Naivedya is offered to Saguna Śiva—often in Liṅga worship—and partaking of that sanctified offering is treated as participation in Śiva’s grace (prasāda), strengthening the devotee’s bond with the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to disciplined observance of Śiva-pūjā etiquette—offering naivedya with devotion and then honoring the prasāda according to scriptural guidance—supported by bhakti practices such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).