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Shloka 7

पुष्पार्पण-विनिर्णयः

Determination of Flower-Offerings to Śiva

शतपत्रसहस्रेण प्रस्थार्द्धं परिभाषितम् । पलैः षोडशभिः प्रत्थः पलं टंकदशस्मृतः

śatapatrasahasreṇa prasthārddhaṃ paribhāṣitam | palaiḥ ṣoḍaśabhiḥ pratthaḥ palaṃ ṭaṃkadaśasmṛtaḥ

อรรถ-ปรัสถะกำหนดด้วยหนึ่งพันหน่วยศตปัตระ ปรัสถะหนึ่งเท่ากับสิบหกปละ และปละหนึ่งตามจารีตถือว่าเท่ากับสิบฏังกะ

śata-patra-sahasreṇaby (means of) a thousand śatapatra (lotuses)
śata-patra-sahasreṇa:
Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
TypeNoun
Rootśata (शत) + patra (पत्र) + sahasra (सहस्र) (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘by a thousand (sahasra) of śata-patra (hundred-leaved [lotuses])’
prastha-arddhamhalf a prastha
prastha-arddham:
Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
TypeNoun
Rootprastha (प्रस्थ) + ardha (अर्ध) (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘half of a prastha’
paribhāṣitamis defined/termed
paribhāṣitam:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootpari-bhāṣ (परि-भाष् धातु)
FormKṛdanta: Past passive participle (क्त-प्रत्यय), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative Singular; used predicatively ‘is defined’
palaiḥby palas (as units)
palaiḥ:
Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
TypeNoun
Rootpala (पल प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Instrumental (3rd), Plural
ṣoḍaśabhiḥby sixteen
ṣoḍaśabhiḥ:
Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
TypeAdjective
Rootṣoḍaśan (षोडशन् संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNumeral adjective, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; agrees with palaiḥ
pratthaḥprattha (a measure)
pratthaḥ:
Kartā (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
TypeNoun
Rootprattha (प्रत्थ प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; technical metrological/weight term (as per context)
palama pala
palam:
Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
TypeNoun
Rootpala (पल प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular
ṭaṃka-daśa-smṛtaḥconsidered as ten ṭaṃkas
ṭaṃka-daśa-smṛtaḥ:
Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरणम्)
TypeAdjective
Rootṭaṃka (टंक) + daśa (दश) + smṛta (स्मृत, √smṛ क्त) (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘remembered/considered as ten ṭaṃkas’ (दश-टंक-परिमाणः)

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional definitions to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudrasaṃhitā framework)

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

It emphasizes niyama (discipline) and precision in sacred living—ritual offerings and observances become effective when performed with clarity and correct proportion, supporting steady devotion to Pati (Shiva).

Linga worship commonly involves measured offerings (water, milk, grains, ghee). By defining units like prastha and pala, the text safeguards correct puja practice so devotion to Saguna Shiva is expressed in an orderly, tradition-aligned way.

A practical takeaway is to keep offerings measured and consistent during abhiṣeka and naivedya; this supports focused mantra-japa (such as the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) by reducing uncertainty and distraction.