Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12

पशु-पाश-पतिविचारः / Inquiry into Paśu, Pāśa, and Pati

Devanagari script

एवमेव महात्मानमात्मन्यात्मविलक्षणम् । सत्येन तपसा चैव नित्ययुक्तो ऽनुपश्यति

Transliteration

evameva mahātmānamātmanyātmavilakṣaṇam | satyena tapasā caiva nityayukto 'nupaśyati

Translation

Ebenso schaut der stets disziplinierte Sucher durch Wahrhaftigkeit und Tapas (Askese) beständig den Mahātman—vom individuellen Selbst verschieden—der im eigenen Selbst weilt.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• महात्मानम्: the great-souled one
• महात्मानम्: कर्म (Karman/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (महत् + आत्मन्), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• आत्मनि: in the self
• आत्मनि: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• आत्म-विलक्षणम्: distinct from the (ordinary) self
• आत्म-विलक्षणम्: विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + विलक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: आत्मनः विलक्षणः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; महात्मानम् इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• सत्येन: by truth
• सत्येन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• नित्य-युक्तः: ever-steadfast/constantly united
• नित्य-युक्तः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक; युज्-धातुज)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तुः विशेषणम्

• अनुपश्यति: beholds/realizes
• अनुपश्यति: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु + पश्य् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that realization of the Supreme Lord (Pati/Shiva) is an inner direct seeing, gained by ethical purity (satya), disciplined austerity (tapas), and steady yogic engagement—revealing Shiva as present within yet distinct from the limited individual self.

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

Linga-worship supports inner concentration: through regular, sincere practice the devotee turns inward and recognizes the indwelling Lord. The verse underscores that Saguna aids the seeker toward the inner vision of Shiva who transcends the finite ego-self.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain satya (truthful living) and tapas (disciplined vows), and practice daily meditation with steady japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so the mind remains nityayukta (constantly aligned) for inner realization.