Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

चक्रुः पादप्रतिष्ठार्थं कलशौ चास्य पार्श्वगौ सम्पूर्णौ परमाम्भोभिर् अरविन्दावृताननौ

Transliteration

cakruḥ pādapratiṣṭhārthaṃ kalaśau cāsya pārśvagau sampūrṇau paramāmbhobhir aravindāvṛtānanau

Translation

เพื่อการสถาปนาฐานบาท (ปาทะ) เขาทั้งหลายจัดหม้อพิธีสองใบไว้สองข้าง—เต็มเปี่ยมด้วยน้ำอันบริสุทธิ์ยิ่ง และปากหม้อปิดด้วยดอกบัว

Word by Word

• चक्रुः: they made/arranged

• पादप्रतिष्ठार्थम्: for the purpose of establishing the pedestal/base (pāda) in consecration

• कलशौ: two kalaśas (ritual pots)

• च: and

• अस्य: of it/of this (the pedestal/linga arrangement)

• पार्श्वगौ: placed at the sides

• सम्पूर्णौ: completely filled

• परमाम्भोभिः: with supreme/pure waters (consecrated water)

• अरविन्द: lotus

• आवृत: covered

• आननौ: mouths/openings (of the pots)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It specifies a key step of Linga-pratiṣṭhā: placing two water-filled kalaśas beside the base as reservoirs of consecrated purity used for sanctifying the seat and preparing for abhiṣeka.

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

Shiva is approached as Pati—the supremely pure reality—whose presence is invoked through ordered consecration; the ‘pure waters’ and lotus-covering signify śuddhi (purity) and auspiciousness befitting the transcendent Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A pratiṣṭhā-oriented pūjā practice: arranging kalaśas of sanctified water (for later abhiṣeka and purification). It reflects the Pāśupata emphasis on external śauca supporting inner discipline of the paśu (bound soul) toward Pati.