Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 24

दक्षस्य रुद्रनिन्दा-निमित्तकथनम् / The Cause of Dakṣa’s Censure of Rudra

Devanagari script

उपर्यमृतभांडस्य मंडलं शशिनो यथा । अथ चाग्रे समासीना सुस्मितास्या शुभावती

Transliteration

uparyamṛtabhāṃḍasya maṃḍalaṃ śaśino yathā | atha cāgre samāsīnā susmitāsyā śubhāvatī

Translation

Wie die Mondscheibe, die über einem Gefäß mit Amṛta erscheint, setzte sie sich dann nach vorn—heilvoll, das Antlitz leuchtend von einem sanften Lächeln.

Word by Word

• upari: above, on top
• upari: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: upari (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb/preposition (उपसर्गसदृश/देशवाचक)

• amṛta-bhāṇḍasya: of the vessel of nectar
• amṛta-bhāṇḍasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: amṛta (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (amṛtasya bhāṇḍam)

• maṇḍalam: disc, circle
• maṇḍalam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• śaśinaḥ: of the moon
• śaśinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaśin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• yathā: as, like
• yathā: Upamāna-marker (उपमान-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), comparative particle (उपमानवाचक)

• atha: then, now
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), discourse particle (अनन्तरार्थक/आरम्भक)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• agre: in front, ahead
• agre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; adverbial locative

• samāsīnā: seated, sitting
• samāsīnā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ās (धातु) + īna (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past active participle (क्त/क्तवत्-समर्थ), Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; from √ās with prefix sam-

• su-smita-āsyā: she whose face has a gentle smile
• su-smita-āsyā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + smita (प्रातिपदिक) + āsya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुव्रीहिः ‘सु स्मितम् आस्यं यस्याः सा’

• śubhāvatī: the auspicious one (lady)
• śubhāvatī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śubhāvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; गुणवाचक-नाम

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

The verse uses an auspicious simile—moon over nectar—to convey sattvic beauty and благоприятность (śubhatva), indicating a presence that supports devotion and elevates the mind toward Pati (Śiva) through serenity and grace.

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

By describing a radiant, auspicious form with gentle smile, the text emphasizes how Saguna (with attributes) manifestations and sacred presences steady the devotee’s attention, preparing the heart for reverent contemplation of Śiva, including Liṅga-worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna on auspicious radiance (śubha-tejas) with a calm, smiling countenance—paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to stabilize the mind in devotion.