Shloka 46

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

कार्तिके च तथा मासे कृत्वा वै नक्तभोजनम् क्षीरौदनेन साज्येन सम्पूज्य च भवं प्रभुम्

Transliteration

kārtike ca tathā māse kṛtvā vai naktabhojanam kṣīraudanena sājyena sampūjya ca bhavaṃ prabhum

Translation

कार्तिके मासि तथा नक्तभोजनं कृत्वा, क्षीरौदनेन साज्येन भवं प्रभुं सम्पूजयेत्—पतिं परमं शिवं।

Word by Word

• कार्तिके: in Kārttika

• च: and

• तथा: likewise

• मासे: in the month

• कृत्वा: having done/observed

• वै: indeed

• नक्तभोजनम्: night-only eating (naktabhojana vow)

• क्षीरौदनेन: with milk-rice (kṣīra-odana)

• साज्येन: with ghee

• सम्पूज्य: having worshipped fully

• च: and

• भवम्: Bhava (a name of Śiva)

• प्रभुम्: the Lord/master (Pati)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhava

FAQs

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

It prescribes a specific Kārttika observance—naktabhojana—paired with a pure naivedya (milk-rice with ghee) for complete worship of Bhava, emphasizing disciplined vrata as a means to please the Pati through Linga-centered devotion.

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

Shiva is addressed as Bhava and Prabhu, signaling Him as Pati—the sovereign Lord who grants grace; the devotee (pashu) approaches Him through restraint and offering, loosening pasha (bondage) by devotion and purity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vrata-based discipline (naktabhojana) integrated with puja-vidhi: worship in Kārttika with sattvic food offerings (kṣīra-odana and ghee), aligning bodily restraint with devotional practice characteristic of Shaiva observances.