Shiva Purana — Kailasa Samhita, Shloka 50

प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः

The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava

Devanagari script

उपस्पृश्याप उत्थाय वरणक्रममारभेत् । पवित्रपाणिः संस्पृश्य पाणी ब्राह्मणयोर्वदेत्

Transliteration

upaspṛśyāpa utthāya varaṇakramamārabhet | pavitrapāṇiḥ saṃspṛśya pāṇī brāhmaṇayorvadet

Translation

先啜水以净身，继而起立，当依次第开始正式迎请并礼敬诸位司仪。以手经仪轨而成清净，复以恭敬触礼，然后当向两位婆罗门之手致辞，请其参与此仪。

Word by Word

• उपस्पृश्य: having touched (after rinsing/touching)
• उपस्पृश्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), उपसर्गः उप-; क्रियाविशेषणभावः

• अपः: waters
• अपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), उपसर्गः उत्-; क्रियाविशेषणभावः

• वरणक्रमम्: the sequence/order of choosing
• वरणक्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरण (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमासः (Determinative; ‘वरणस्य क्रमः’), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• आरभेत्: should begin
• आरभेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-रभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• पवित्रपाणिः: one whose hands are purified
• पवित्रपाणिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमासः (Possessive; ‘पवित्रौ पाणी यस्य सः’), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• संस्पृश्य: having touched
• संस्पृश्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), उपसर्गः सम्-; क्रियाविशेषणभावः

• पाणी: (both) hands
• पाणी: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), द्विवचन (Dual)

• ब्राह्मणयोः: of the two brāhmaṇas
• ब्राह्मणयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual)

• वदेत्: should say/utter
• वदेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Shaiva worship begins with inner and outer purity (ācamana) and proceeds with dharmic order—honoring those who uphold mantra and ritual—so devotion becomes disciplined and sattvic, fit for Lord Shiva’s grace.

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

Linga worship is approached through prescribed purity and proper observance; by inviting qualified Brāhmaṇas/ritviks in the correct sequence, the devotee ensures the Linga-puja is performed according to śāstra, supporting focused bhakti toward Saguna Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform ācamana (sipping sanctified water) to purify speech and mind, then proceed in the correct ritual order—respectfully inviting the officiants—maintaining cleanliness of hands and conduct before beginning the main Shiva-puja.