Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 63

दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः

Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara

Devanagari script

फुल्लानां मधुगर्भाणां पुष्पाणां गंधबंधवः । मार्गानुकूलसंवाहा वबुश्च पथि मारुताः

Transliteration

phullānāṃ madhugarbhāṇāṃ puṣpāṇāṃ gaṃdhabaṃdhavaḥ | mārgānukūlasaṃvāhā vabuśca pathi mārutāḥ

Translation

Der Duft, gleich einem vertrauten Gefährten der erblühten, nektarschweren Blumen, breitete sich aus; und entlang des Weges strömten sanfte Lüfte, der Reise günstig.

Word by Word

• फुल्लानाम्: of blossomed (ones)
• फुल्लानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फुल्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• मधु-गर्भाणाम्: of honey-filled
• मधु-गर्भाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘मधु गर्भे यस्य’ (honey-containing)

• पुष्पाणाम्: of flowers
• पुष्पाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• गन्ध-बन्धवः: companions of fragrance (i.e., scents)
• गन्ध-बन्धवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘गन्धानां बन्धवः’ (companions of fragrance)

• मार्ग-अनुकूल-संवाहाः: having currents favourable to the path
• मार्ग-अनुकूल-संवाहाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुकूल (प्रातिपदिक) + संवाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘मार्गे अनुकूलः संवाहः येषाम्’ (favourable currents along the path)

• वबुः: (unclear word; possibly ‘sound/whisper’ by variant reading)
• वबुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वबु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (पाठभेद/दुर्लभ-शब्दः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पथि: on the path
• पथि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरणे

• मारुताः: winds
• मारुताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मारुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it functions as auspicious environmental omens (flowers, fragrance, favorable winds) preceding the unfolding of Dakṣa-yajña conflict.

Significance: Sets a ‘maṅgala’ atmosphere: nature appears supportive, yet this pleasant veil foreshadows the impending reversal—an instance of māyā’s concealment (tirodhāna) before Rudra’s intervention.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays auspiciousness in nature—fragrance and gentle winds—as outer signs of inner harmony, suggesting that when one moves toward Shiva with devotion and purity, even the environment seems to support the seeker’s path.

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

The verse evokes a sacred atmosphere suitable for approaching Shiva’s presence (often symbolized by the Linga): pleasing scents and favorable breezes mirror the devotee’s preparation—cleanliness, serenity, and reverent approach toward Saguna Shiva in worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies cultivating a sattvic setting for worship—offer fresh flowers with fragrance, maintain cleanliness, and practice calm breathing (prāṇa-samyama) so the ‘inner wind’ becomes favorable for japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).