Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3

पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels

Devanagari script

तत्र दर्भान्परिस्तीर्य क्षालयेत्प्रोक्षणादिभिः । संशोध्य सर्वपात्राणि द्रव्यशुद्धिं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

tatra darbhānparistīrya kṣālayetprokṣaṇādibhiḥ | saṃśodhya sarvapātrāṇi dravyaśuddhiṃ samācaret

Translation

ณที่นั้นปูหญ้าดรภะ แล้วชำระด้วยการประพรม (โปรกษณะ) และพิธีชำระอื่น ๆ เมื่อชำระภาชนะทั้งปวงแล้ว จงประกอบการชำระวัตถุเครื่องบูชาให้บริสุทธิ์ตามพิธี.

Word by Word

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक अव्यय)

• darbhān: darbha grass
• darbhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• paristīrya: having spread
• paristīrya: Kriyā (पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√stṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), ‘having spread (around)’

• kṣālayet: should wash
• kṣālayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṣāl (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• prokṣaṇa-ādibhiḥ: with sprinkling and the like
• prokṣaṇa-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prokṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: ‘with sprinkling etc.’

• saṃśodhya: having purified
• saṃśodhya: Kriyā (पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: saṃ-√śudh (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), ‘having purified/cleansed’

• sarva-pātrāṇi: all vessels/utensils
• sarva-pātrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; tatpuruṣa: ‘all vessels’

• dravya-śuddhim: purification of substances
• dravya-śuddhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dravya (प्रातिपदिक) + śuddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘purification of materials’

• samācaret: should perform/undertake
• samācaret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√car (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s ritual principles to the sages at Naimisharanya)

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 outer cleanliness (place, vessels, and offerings) supports inner purity, making the mind fit to approach Pati (Shiva) with reverence; in Shaiva Siddhanta, disciplined preparation reduces pasha-like impurities that obstruct devotion and clarity.

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

Linga worship is performed through specific upacharas (offerings). This verse emphasizes that the instruments of worship—water for prokshana, vessels, and materials—must be purified so the saguna form is honored with faultless, orderly service (seva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Ritually: spread darbha, perform prokshana (sprinkling sanctified water), and cleanse all vessels and offerings. Meditatively: cultivate the same ‘shuddhi’ inwardly—steady attention and purity of intention—before japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya), if undertaken.