Shloka 3

Śiva-Naivedya-Grāhyatā-Nirṇayaḥ

On the Proper Acceptance and Merit of Śiva’s Consecrated Food-Offering

Devanagari script

शिवभक्तः शुचिः शुद्धः सद्व्रतीदृढनिश्चयः । भक्षयेच्छिवनैवेद्यं त्यजेदग्राह्यभावनाम्

Transliteration

śivabhaktaḥ śuciḥ śuddhaḥ sadvratīdṛḍhaniścayaḥ | bhakṣayecchivanaivedyaṃ tyajedagrāhyabhāvanām

Translation

شیو بھکت—جو پاکیزہ، باطن سے شُدھ، نیک ورتوں میں ثابت قدم اور پختہ ارادہ ہو—اسے شیو کو ارپت نَیویدیہ کا پرساد قبول کرنا چاہیے اور اسے ‘ناقابلِ قبول’ سمجھنے کا خیال چھوڑ دینا چاہیے۔

Word by Word

• शिव-भक्तः: a devotee of Śiva
• शिव-भक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (कृदन्त; √भज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य भक्तः)

• शुचिः: pure; clean
• शुचिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• शुद्धः: purified
• शुद्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• सत्-व्रती: of good vows
• सत्-व्रती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सद्व्रती = सत् व्रती, good-vowed)

• दृढ-निश्चयः: firm in resolve
• दृढ-निश्चयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ (प्रातिपदिक) + निश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (दृढः निश्चयः यस्य)

• भक्षयेत्: should eat
• भक्षयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• शिव-नैवेद्यम्: Śiva’s consecrated offering (naivedya)
• शिव-नैवेद्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (शिवाय नैवेद्यम् / शिवस्य नैवेद्यम्)

• त्यजेत्: should abandon
• त्यजेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अग्राह्य-भावनाम्: the notion that it is not to be accepted
• अग्राह्य-भावनाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्राह्य (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्-पूर्वक) + भावना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (अग्राह्या भावना = unacceptable notion)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: In Kāśī, Śiva as Viśvanātha grants liberation; offerings made to Him are treated as Śiva’s own grace (prasāda) that purifies the devotee and removes ritualistic doubt about acceptability.

Significance: Prasāda-sevā at Kāśī is held to destroy sin and strengthen bhakti; accepting Śiva’s naivedya is framed as direct participation in His anugraha.

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that true Shaiva purity is joined with devotion and right understanding: Shiva’s consecrated offering (prasāda) is spiritually elevating, and doubt or aversion toward it should be given up.

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

In Linga/Saguna worship, naivedya offered with mantra and devotion becomes Shiva-prasāda; honoring it affirms the sanctity of Shiva-pūjā and the devotee’s living relationship with the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain śauca (cleanliness), keep vrata with firm resolve, offer naivedya in Shiva-pūjā (often alongside Panchakshara japa), and reverently consume the prasāda without notions of impurity.