Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 19

साधक-दीक्षा तथा मन्त्रसाधन

Puraścaraṇa and the Discipline of the Mantra-Sādhaka

Devanagari script

चरुं भक्ष्यमथो सक्तुकणान्यावकमेव च । शाकं पयो दधि घृतं मूलं फलमथोदकम्

Transliteration

caruṃ bhakṣyamatho saktukaṇānyāvakameva ca | śākaṃ payo dadhi ghṛtaṃ mūlaṃ phalamathodakam

Translation

Nasi korban yang dimasak (caru), makanan persembahan yang boleh dimakan, butiran tepung sangai (saktu), serta padi liar (āvaka); sayur berdaun, susu, dadih, minyak sapi suci (ghṛta), akar, buah-buahan dan air—semuanya ialah makanan yang suci dan layak dipersembahkan dalam pemujaan serta laku tapa Śiva.

Word by Word

• carum: caru (sacrificial porridge)
• carum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• bhakṣyam: edible food
• bhakṣyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• atha: then/and also
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Anantarya/Prastāva-avyaya (अनन्तर्य/प्रस्ताव, indeclinable)

• saktu-kaṇāni: flour-grains (saktu particles)
• saktu-kaṇāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saktu (प्रातिपदिक) + kaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘particles/grains of flour’; Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Bahuvacana (बहुवचन)

• yāvakam: barley (food)
• yāvakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa-nipāta (अवधारण-अव्यय)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (समुच्चय-अव्यय, conjunction)

• śākam: vegetable/greens
• śākam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• payaḥ: milk
• payaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: payas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• dadhi: curd/yogurt
• dadhi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dadhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• ghṛtam: ghee
• ghṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• mūlam: root
• mūlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• phalam: fruit
• phalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीyaa), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

• atha: and then/also
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Anantarya/Prastāva-avyaya (अनन्तर्य/प्रस्ताव)

• udakam: water
• udakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines sāttvika/śuci naivedya for sustaining vrata and daily worship (sthiti): purity of diet supports steadiness of mind and continuity of Śiva-sādhana.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights sāttvika simplicity—pure, non-violent, and easily obtainable foods—supporting inner purity (śuddhi) so devotion to Pati (Śiva) can mature into grace-bestowing worship.

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

These items are standard, pure offerings used in Saguna worship—especially in Linga-pūjā (e.g., milk, curd, ghee, water). Offering them with mantra and humility trains the mind toward Śiva while honoring ritual propriety.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a restrained, sāttvika diet and offer simple substances (water, milk, curd, ghee, fruits) in Śiva-pūjā while reciting the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), maintaining purity and steadiness of mind.