Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 45

द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)

Devanagari script

धृतिः स्मृतिः क्षमा चैव सन्नतिश्चानसूयका । देवमातारुन्धती च सर्वाः खलु पतिव्रताः

Transliteration

dhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ kṣamā caiva sannatiścānasūyakā | devamātārundhatī ca sarvāḥ khalu pativratāḥ

Translation

دْهْرِتي (الثبات)، وسْمْرِتي (التذكّر القويم)، وكْشَما (الحِلم والصفح)، وكذلك سَنَّتي (التواضع الموقِّر) وأَنَسُويا (الخلوّ من الحسد)، مع دِڤَماتا وأَرُنْدَهَتي—إنّ جميعهنّ مشهوراتٌ بأنهنّ زوجاتٌ پَتِڤْرَتا، ثابتاتٌ على نذر الوفاء لأزواجهنّ.

Word by Word

• धृतिः: Dhṛti (steadfastness; a personified lady)
• धृतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्मृतिः: Smṛti (memory; a personified lady)
• स्मृतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्षमा: Kṣamā (forbearance; a personified lady)
• क्षमा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• सन्नतिः: Sannati (humility/bowing; a personified lady)
• सन्नतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्नति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अनसूयका: Anasūyakā (free from envy; a lady/personification)
• अनसूयका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनसूयका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• देवमाता: Devamātā (mother of the gods)
• देवमाता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + माता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpuruṣa: 'of the gods' + 'mother')

• अरुन्धती: Arundhatī
• अरुन्धती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरुन्धती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सर्वाः: all (of them)
• सर्वाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (qualifier)

• खलु: indeed/surely
• खलु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: खलु (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/प्रत्ययार्थक-अव्यय (indeed, surely)

• पतिव्रताः: devoted wives (pativratās)
• पतिव्रताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpuruṣa: 'devoted to husband')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Dhriti
• Smriti
• Kshama
• Sannati
• Anasuya
• Devamata
• Arundhati

FAQs

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

It elevates inner virtues—steadfastness, right recollection, forgiveness, humility, and non-envy—as living dharmic powers, showing that purity of character is itself a form of worship that supports devotion to Pati (Śiva) and leads the soul (paśu) away from binding impurities.

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

In Linga and Saguna-Śiva worship, external rites are meant to mature inner conduct; this verse highlights the ethical foundation that makes ritual fruitful—humility and forbearance purify the mind so devotion can rest steadily on Śiva’s form and presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice daily japa with a calm, non-envious mind—especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—while cultivating kṣamā (forgiveness) and sannati (humility); these qualities are the practical “inner vrata” that strengthens any Śaiva observance.