Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7

पुष्पार्पण-विनिर्णयः

Determination of Flower-Offerings to Śiva

Devanagari script

शतपत्रसहस्रेण प्रस्थार्द्धं परिभाषितम् । पलैः षोडशभिः प्रत्थः पलं टंकदशस्मृतः

Transliteration

śatapatrasahasreṇa prasthārddhaṃ paribhāṣitam | palaiḥ ṣoḍaśabhiḥ pratthaḥ palaṃ ṭaṃkadaśasmṛtaḥ

Translation

ہزار شتپتر سے آدھا پرستھ متعین کیا گیا ہے۔ سولہ پل سے ایک پرستھ ہوتا ہے، اور ایک پل کو دس ٹنک کے برابر سمجھا گیا ہے۔

Word by Word

• śata-patra-sahasreṇa: by (means of) a thousand śatapatra (lotuses)
• śata-patra-sahasreṇa: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata (शत) + patra (पत्र) + sahasra (सहस्र) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘by a thousand (sahasra) of śata-patra (hundred-leaved [lotuses])’

• prastha-arddham: half a prastha
• prastha-arddham: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prastha (प्रस्थ) + ardha (अर्ध) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘half of a prastha’

• paribhāṣitam: is defined/termed
• paribhāṣitam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-bhāṣ (परि-भाष् धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past passive participle (क्त-प्रत्यय), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative Singular; used predicatively ‘is defined’

• palaiḥ: by palas (as units)
• palaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pala (पल प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Plural

• ṣoḍaśabhiḥ: by sixteen
• ṣoḍaśabhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣoḍaśan (षोडशन् संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; agrees with palaiḥ

• pratthaḥ: prattha (a measure)
• pratthaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prattha (प्रत्थ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; technical metrological/weight term (as per context)

• palam: a pala
• palam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pala (पल प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular

• ṭaṃka-daśa-smṛtaḥ: considered as ten ṭaṃkas
• ṭaṃka-daśa-smṛtaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṭaṃka (टंक) + daśa (दश) + smṛta (स्मृत, √smṛ क्त) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa: ‘remembered/considered as ten ṭaṃkas’ (दश-टंक-परिमाणः)

Speaker

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

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

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).

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

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

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.