Shloka 40

Ekādaśāhna-vidhiḥ (The Rite Prescribed for the Eleventh Day): Maṇḍala-racanā, Āvāhana, Mudrā, and Ativāhika-devatā Pūjā

Devanagari script

ततो दत्त्वा ब्राह्मणेभ्यो दक्षिणां च यथाविधि । नारायणबलिं कुर्य्यात्तस्मिन्नेव स्थले दिने

Transliteration

tato dattvā brāhmaṇebhyo dakṣiṇāṃ ca yathāvidhi | nārāyaṇabaliṃ kuryyāttasminneva sthale dine

Translation

తర్వాత నియమానుసారం బ్రాహ్మణులకు దక్షిణను ఇచ్చి, అదే స్థలంలో అదే రోజున నారాయణ-బలి కర్మను నిర్వహించాలి।

Word by Word

ततःthen

दत्त्वाhaving given

ब्राह्मणेभ्यःto the brāhmaṇas

दक्षिणाम्fee/gift (dakṣiṇā)

चand

यथा-विधिaccording to the prescribed rule

नारायण-बलिम्Nārāyaṇa-offering (bali)

कुर्यात्he should perform

तस्मिन्in that

एवindeed/only

स्थलेplace

दिनेon the day

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it prescribes dakṣiṇā to brāhmaṇas and then Nārāyaṇa-bali, showing Purāṇic ritual ecumenism where ancillary Vaiṣṇava-identified rites are integrated within a Śaiva karmakāṇḍa framework.

Significance: Completion of expiatory/ancestral obligations (bali + dakṣiṇā) is held to remove impediments (pāśa) and stabilize auspiciousness for Śiva-upāsanā.

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

Narayana

Brahmanas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śāstric completion of rites through proper dāna and dakṣiṇā, followed by a purificatory bali; in Shaiva understanding, such disciplined karma supports inner purity (śuddhi) and prepares the seeker for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).

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

Although the verse names Nārāyaṇa-bali, the Shiva Purana frames correct ritual closure as part of dharma that steadies devotion; orderly observance complements Saguna Shiva worship by cultivating humility, gratitude to officiants, and ritual completeness (pūrṇatā).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to conclude the observance by giving dakṣiṇā to brāhmaṇas as prescribed and then performing Nārāyaṇa-bali on the same day and site; it is a rite of offering meant for purification and the settling of ritual obligations.