Shloka 24

Adhyaya 44: Nandikesvara’s Manifestation and Abhisheka; The Rule of Namaskara in Shiva-Nama

Devanagari script

कलशानां सहस्रं तु सौवर्णं राजतं तथा ताम्रजं मृन्मयं चैव सर्वतीर्थाम्बुपूरितम्

Transliteration

kalaśānāṃ sahasraṃ tu sauvarṇaṃ rājataṃ tathā tāmrajaṃ mṛnmayaṃ caiva sarvatīrthāmbupūritam

Translation

பின்னர் ஆயிரம் கலசங்களை—பொன், வெள்ளி, செம்பு மற்றும் மண்ணால் ஆனவற்றை—ஒழுங்குபடுத்த வேண்டும்; ஒவ்வொன்றையும் எல்லாத் தீர்த்தங்களின் புனித நீரால் நிரப்பி, சிவபூஜையில் அர்ப்பணிக்க வேண்டும்.

Word by Word

• कलशानाम् (kalaśānām): of water-pots

• सहस्रम् (sahasram): a thousand

• तु (tu): indeed

• सौवर्णम् (sauvarṇam): made of gold

• राजतम् (rājatam): made of silver

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• ताम्रजम् (tāmrajam): made of copper

• मृन्मयम् (mṛnmayam): made of clay/earthen

• च एव (caiva): and also

• सर्वतीर्थ (sarvatīrtha): of all sacred fords/pilgrimage sites

• अम्बु (ambu): water

• पूरितम् (pūritam): filled

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 emphasizes abhiṣeka as a central limb of liṅga-pūjā: offering many consecrated kalaśas filled with tīrtha-water symbolizes complete purification and devotional completeness directed to Pati (Śiva).

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

By prescribing offerings gathered from “all tīrthas,” it implies Śiva-tattva as the inner ground of all sanctity—Pati who receives and transfigures the offerings of the paśu, aiding the loosening of pāśa through grace-oriented worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it highlights kalaśa-abhiṣeka with sarva-tīrtha-jala; yogically, it supports Pāśupata-oriented purification where disciplined worship and sacred elements become aids toward release from bondage.