Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

काम्यकर्मविभागः — Taxonomy of Kāmya (Desire-Motivated) Śaiva Rites

Devanagari script

परीक्ष्य भूमिं विधिवद्गंधवर्णरसादिभिः । मनोभिलषिते तत्र वितानविततांबरे

Transliteration

parīkṣya bhūmiṃ vidhivadgaṃdhavarṇarasādibhiḥ | manobhilaṣite tatra vitānavitatāṃbare

Translation

بعد فحص الأرض على الوجه الشرعي—برائحتها ولونها وطعمها وما شابه—وفي موضع يسرّ القلب، ينبغي بسطُ مظلّةٍ وإعدادُ غطاءٍ واسعٍ ممتدٍّ فوق الرأس لأجل الطقس.

Word by Word

• parīkṣya: having examined
• parīkṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; धातु: √ईक्ष् (to see/examine) उपसर्ग: परि-; ‘having examined’

• bhūmim: the ground/earth
• bhūmim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• vidhi-vat: according to the prescribed method
• vidhi-vat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhi + vat (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner): ‘according to rule’

• gandha-varṇa-rasa-ādibhiḥ: by smell, color, taste, etc.
• gandha-varṇa-rasa-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha + varṇa + rasa + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective dvandva) with ādi; पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-प्राय, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘by smell, color, taste, etc.’

• manaḥ-abhilaṣite: in the mind-pleasing (place)
• manaḥ-abhilaṣite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manaḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + abhilaṣita (कृदन्त, √laṣ/√laṣa with abhi-)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpurusha): ‘desired by the mind’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (agreeing with implied ‘sthāne/āyatanе’ or with next locatives)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb): ‘there’

• vitāna-vitata-ambare: in (a place) with a canopy-spread covering
• vitāna-vitata-ambare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vitāna (प्रातिपदिक) + vitata (कृदन्त, √tan) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्राय (descriptive determinative): ‘(place) whose ambara/covering is spread as a canopy’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that outer purity and right preparation support inner steadiness: choosing a wholesome, pleasing place helps the mind become fit for Shiva-oriented worship and contemplation of Pati (Shiva) beyond pasha (bondage).

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

Linga-puja in the Shiva Purana emphasizes proper adhivasa and mandapa preparation; examining the ground and arranging a canopy indicates creating a consecrated space where Saguna worship can lead the devotee toward realization of Shiva’s higher, transcendent nature.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prepare a clean, auspicious worship site by assessing the ground’s qualities and setting up a covered mandapa; then proceed with Shiva-puja (often accompanied by japa of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” as appropriate to the broader rite).