Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 84

पञ्चावरणमार्गस्थं योगेश्वरस्तोत्रम्

Pañcāvaraṇa-mārga Stotra to Yogeśvara Śiva

Devanagari script

उपेंद्रेंद्रयमादीनां देवानामंगतक्षकः । शिवस्यानुचरः श्रीमाञ्छिवशासनपालकः

Transliteration

upeṃdreṃdrayamādīnāṃ devānāmaṃgatakṣakaḥ | śivasyānucaraḥ śrīmāñchivaśāsanapālakaḥ

Translation

هو حامٍ جبار، كحارسٍ يقِظٍ لأجساد الآلهة أنفسهم مثل أوبيندرا (فيشنو)، وإندرا، ويَما. وهو مجيدٌ، من أتباع شيفا الملازمين، يحفظ أوامر السيد شيفا ويُقيمها بأمانة.

Word by Word

• upendra-indra-yama-ādīnām: of Upendra, Indra, Yama and others
• upendra-indra-yama-ādīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upendra (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक) + yama (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; द्वन्द्व-समास (upendraś ca indraś ca yamaś ca ...), with ādi indicating 'etc.'

• devānām: of the gods
• devānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• aṅga-takṣakaḥ: the limb-cutter (mutilator)
• aṅga-takṣakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + takṣaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास (aṅgānāṃ takṣakaḥ)

• śivasya: of Śiva
• śivasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• anucaraḥ: attendant, follower
• anucaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anucara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• śrīmān: glorious, illustrious
• śrīmān: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; possessive adjective (मतुप्)

• śiva-śāsana-pālakaḥ: protector of Śiva's command
• śiva-śāsana-pālakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + śāsana (प्रातिपदिक) + pālaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास (śivasya śāsanasya pālakaḥ)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse depicts Śiva’s attendant as the enforcer of Śiva’s ordinance (śāsana) and a guardian even for major devas—an idiom of Bhairava/Kṣetrapāla-like protection and policing of cosmic order.

Significance: Cultivates trust in Śiva’s protective governance: even the devas are safeguarded by Śiva’s command; encourages devotees to seek refuge in Śiva’s śāsana rather than mere worldly power.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vishnu (Upendra)
• Indra
• Yama

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the supremacy of Śiva’s governance: even the highest devas are protected under Śiva’s order, and liberation-oriented life is modeled as faithful alignment with Śiva-śāsana (the Lord’s ordinance), a key Shaiva Siddhanta theme of surrender to Pati (Śiva).

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

By praising Śiva’s anucara (attendant) who upholds Śiva’s command, the verse reinforces Saguna Śiva’s living presence as Lord and ruler. Linga-worship similarly expresses devotion to Śiva as the sovereign Pati whose grace and order protect and guide devotees beyond worldly fear.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is disciplined devotion: daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a vow to follow Śiva-dharma, supported by simple Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of living under Śiva’s ordinance.