Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 15

शिवतत्त्वे परापरभावविचारः

Inquiry into Śiva’s Principle and the Parā–Aparā Paradox

Devanagari script

इच्छया देहनिर्माणमिन्द्रजालोपमं विदुः । अणिमादिगुणैश्वर्यवशीकारानतिक्रमात्

Transliteration

icchayā dehanirmāṇamindrajālopamaṃ viduḥ | aṇimādiguṇaiśvaryavaśīkārānatikramāt

Translation

Einen Körper allein durch Willen zu gestalten, gilt als einem Zaubertrug gleich. Denn durch die herrscherlichen Vollkommenheiten wie aṇimā und die Macht der Bezwingung kann man gewöhnliche Begrenzungen überschreiten.

Word by Word

• इच्छया: by will
• इच्छया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु (by will)

• देह-निर्माणम्: creation of a body
• देह-निर्माणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह + निर्माण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• इन्द्रजाल-उपमम्: like a magical illusion
• इन्द्रजाल-उपमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्द्रजाल + उपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; उपमान-सम्बन्ध (like a magic illusion)

• विदुः: know/consider
• विदुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• अणिमा-आदि-गुण-ऐश्वर्य-वशीकार-अनतिक्रमात्: because of not being surpassed in powers like aṇimā etc., lordship, and mastery
• अणिमा-आदि-गुण-ऐश्वर्य-वशीकार-अनतिक्रमात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अणिमा + आदि + गुण + ऐश्वर्य + वशीकार + अनतिक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकभावे, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; हेतौ (because of non-transgression/being unsurpassed)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that bodily manifestation can be māyā-like—an appearance shaped by will and yogic power—reminding the seeker that true refuge is Shiva (Pati) beyond changing forms, not mere phenomenal display.

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

By calling bodily formation ‘illusion-like,’ it directs devotion toward Shiva as the stable reality symbolized by the Linga, while acknowledging that Saguna manifestations and powers operate within the field of māyā under Shiva’s lordship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is disciplined japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady meditation to master the mind; siddhis may arise, but the Shaiva aim is detachment and Shiva’s grace rather than display of powers.