Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 73

अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas

Devanagari script

कदम्बगोलकाकारं तुषारकणिकोपमम् । क्षित्यादितत्त्वविजयं ध्याता यद्यपि वाञ्छति

Transliteration

kadambagolakākāraṃ tuṣārakaṇikopamam | kṣityāditattvavijayaṃ dhyātā yadyapi vāñchati

Translation

ধ্যাতা যদি পৃথিবী প্রভৃতি তত্ত্বকে জয় করে অতিক্রম করতেও চান, তবু তিনি সেই তত্ত্বাতীত সত্যকে কদম্বফলের গোলকের মতো এবং তুষারকণার মতো সূক্ষ্ম বলে ধ্যান করুন।

Word by Word

• कदम्बगोलकाकारम्: having the form of a kadamba-ball
• कदम्बगोलकाकारम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कदम्ब-गोलक-आकार (प्रातिपदिक; कदम्ब + गोलक + आकार)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("कदम्बस्य गोलकः" इव आकारः)

• तुषारकणिकोपमम्: like a snow-granule
• तुषारकणिकोपमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुषार-कणिका-उपम (प्रातिपदिक; तुषार + कणिका + उपम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("तुषारकणिकायाः उपमम्" = like a snow-pellet)

• क्षिति-आदि-तत्त्व-विजयम्: mastery/conquest of the principles beginning with earth
• क्षिति-आदि-तत्त्व-विजयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति-आदि-तत्त्व-विजय (प्रातिपदिक; क्षिति + आदि + तत्त्व + विजय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म; तत्पुरुष ("क्षित्यादीनां तत्त्वानां विजयः")

• ध्याता: the meditator
• ध्याता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √ध्यै (धातु) + तृ (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय) → ध्यातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्तरि-तृन्त (agent noun: meditator)

• यद्यपि: although
• यद्यपि: Sambandha/Concession (सम्बन्ध/अनुज्ञा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि + अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय-समुच्चय; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग; concessive particle (although)

• वाञ्छति: desires
• वाञ्छति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वाञ्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches subtle meditation: by fixing awareness on a refined, luminous symbol of Pati (Shiva), the yogin gains mastery over the gross-to-subtle tattvas (beginning with earth) and moves toward liberation.

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

The globular, luminous comparison points to a contemplative support (ālambana) akin to the Linga—Saguna as a meditative aid—through which one approaches the transcendent (Nirguna) Shiva beyond the elements.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Dhyāna on a subtle, sphere-like form—paired with Shaiva japa such as the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—aiming at inner refinement and tattva-śuddhi rather than outward ritual alone.