Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42

पूजाविधिः

Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances

Devanagari script

पंचमुद्राः प्रकर्तव्याः पूजावश्यं करेप्सिताः । एता मुद्राः प्रदर्श्यैव चरेत्पूजाविधिं नरः

Transliteration

paṃcamudrāḥ prakartavyāḥ pūjāvaśyaṃ karepsitāḥ | etā mudrāḥ pradarśyaiva caretpūjāvidhiṃ naraḥ

Translation

جو شخص باقاعدہ طریقے سے پوجا کرنا چاہے، اسے پانچ مُدرائیں ضرور کرنی چاہئیں۔ انہی مُدراؤں کو دکھا کر ہی پوجا کی विधی پر عمل کرے۔

Word by Word

• पञ्च-मुद्राः: the five mudrās (hand-gestures)
• पञ्च-मुद्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (प्रातिपदिक) + मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; द्विगुसमास (संख्यापूर्वक)

• प्रकर्तव्याः: to be performed
• प्रकर्तव्याः: Vidheyavisheshana (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (तव्यत्), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (to be done)

• पूजा-वश्यं: (that which is) dependent on worship / required for worship
• पूजा-वश्यं: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + वश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पूजायाः वश्यं = dependent on worship)

• करे: in the hand
• करे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• ईप्सिताः: desired
• ईप्सिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आप्/ईप्स् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘पञ्चमुद्राः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम् (desired)

• एताः: these
• एताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• मुद्राः: mudrās (gestures)
• मुद्राः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन

• प्रदर्श्य: having shown
• प्रदर्श्य: Kriya-visheshana (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्र+दृश् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वक्रिया (having shown)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha/Particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधारणार्थक (emphatic)

• चरेत्: should perform/should proceed
• चरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• पूजा-विधिं: the procedure of worship
• पूजा-विधिं: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पूजायाः विधिः)

• नरः: a man (the worshipper)
• नरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General ritual-technology instruction: pañca-mudrās are indispensable for pūjā; only after displaying them should one proceed with the worship procedure.

Significance: Highlights the ‘seal’ (mudrā) as a means to regulate ritual space and mind—transforming ordinary action into consecrated action, loosening pāśa (bondage) through disciplined upāsanā.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion (bhakti) should be supported by right procedure (vidhi): the mudrās “seal” the worshipper’s intention, steady the mind and body, and help the act of pūjā become a disciplined offering to Pati (Śiva), not a casual gesture.

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

In Saguna worship—especially liṅga-pūjā—the body participates through prescribed actions. Displaying the pañca-mudrās is presented as a prerequisite that sanctifies the worshipper’s approach before continuing with offerings, mantra, and upacāras to Śiva in worshipful form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform the pañca-mudrās as a preparatory step before beginning the main pūjā sequence; this aligns posture, breath, and attention so that mantra-japa and offerings are done with steadiness and reverence.