Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

पात्राणां प्रोक्षणीमेकामलाभे सर्वकर्मसु । साधयेदर्घ्यमद्भिस्तत्सामान्यं साधकोत्तमः

Transliteration

pātrāṇāṃ prokṣaṇīmekāmalābhe sarvakarmasu | sādhayedarghyamadbhistatsāmānyaṃ sādhakottamaḥ

Translation

若于任何仪式中，未得专用于诸器皿的洒净器，则善修之行者当以清水行阿尔伽供（arghya）；此即通行之常法。

Word by Word

• पात्राणाम्: of the vessels
• पात्राणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• प्रोक्षणीम्: the sprinkling (vessel)
• प्रोक्षणीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prokṣaṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• एकाम्: one (single)
• एकाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण to प्रोक्षणीम्

• अलाभे: in the absence (of it)
• अलाभे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• सर्वकर्मसु: in all rites/acts
• सर्वकर्मसु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारय: ‘सर्वाणि कर्माणि’

• साधयेत्: should prepare/accomplish
• साधयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sādh (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• अर्घ्यम्: arghya-offering (water for respectful offering)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arghya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• अद्भिः: with waters
• अद्भिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); ‘अप्’ शब्दस्य विशेषरूपम्

• तत्: that/this
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण to सामान्यम्

• सामान्यम्: as the common (substitute method)
• सामान्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāmānya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); विधेय/विशेषण: ‘common/general (procedure)’

• साधकोत्तमः: the best practitioner
• साधकोत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhaka + uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारय: ‘उत्तमः साधकः’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere devotion and correct intention in Shiva-worship matter more than elaborate materials; when tools are lacking, a simple water-offering performed properly remains valid.

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

In Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-puja—purification and offerings are central. This verse permits a practical substitution so that arghya and purification are not interrupted even without a dedicated prokshani vessel.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use clean water to perform arghya and the necessary sprinkling/purificatory acts when specific implements are unavailable, maintaining steadiness of mind and remembrance of Shiva (e.g., with the Panchakshara mantra).