Shloka 37

प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्

Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om

Devanagari script

पञ्चगव्यादिभिर्द्रव्यैर्यथाविभवसम्भृतैः । केवलैर्वा जलैश्शुद्धैस्सुरभि द्रव्यवासितैः

Transliteration

pañcagavyādibhirdravyairyathāvibhavasambhṛtaiḥ | kevalairvā jalaiśśuddhaissurabhi dravyavāsitaiḥ

Translation

தன் இயல்பிற்கேற்ப பஞ்சகவ்யம் முதலிய திரவியங்களாலும் பிற தகுந்த பொருட்களாலும் (சுத்தி விதி) செய்ய வேண்டும்; அல்லது மங்கள நறுமணப் பொருட்களால் வாசனை ஊட்டப்பட்ட தூய நீரால் மட்டும் செய்யலாம்.

Word by Word

• पञ्च-गव्य-आदिभिः: with pañcagavya etc.
• पञ्च-गव्य-आदिभिः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (प्रातिपदिक) + गव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; ‘आदि’ = ‘etc.’; समूहवाचक

• द्रव्यैः: with substances
• द्रव्यैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• यथा-विभव-सम्भृतैः: prepared according to one’s capacity
• यथा-विभव-सम्भृतैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + विभव (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्भृत (कृदन्त; √भृ with सम्-, भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; ‘यथा’ उपपदपूर्वक-समासः—‘according to one’s means, well-provided’

• केवलैः: with only/just
• केवलैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केवल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; ‘जलैः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• वा: or
• वा: समुच्चय/विकल्प (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• जलैः: with water
• जलैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• शुद्धैः: pure
• शुद्धैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; ‘जलैः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• सुरभि: fragrant
• सुरभि: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुरभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्/विशेषण-प्रयोगः; सामान्यतः त्रिलिङ्ग; अत्र ‘द्रव्य’ इत्यनेन सह ‘सुगन्ध’ अर्थे

• द्रव्य-वासितैः: scented with fragrant substances
• द्रव्य-वासितैः: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वासित (कृदन्त; √वास्, भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; ‘जलैः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्—‘perfumed with substances’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s approved modes of ritual purity as taught in the Kailasa Samhita context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that inner devotion is supported by outer purity: worship may be performed with elaborate sacred substances if available, yet even simple pure water—offered with reverence—remains acceptable to Lord Shiva.

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

It directly supports Linga-upāsanā through abhiṣeka (ritual bathing): pañcagavya or fragrant pure water are prescribed as suitable offerings to Saguna Shiva in the form of the Śiva-liṅga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is abhiṣeka using pañcagavya when possible, or otherwise clean water scented with auspicious fragrances—done with mantra and steady bhakti as the primary focus.