Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 19

पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचर्यरतो भक्त्या मत्सादृश्यमवाप्नुयात् । किमत्र बहुनोक्तेन भक्तास्सर्वेधिकारिणः

Transliteration

brahmacaryarato bhaktyā matsādṛśyamavāpnuyāt | kimatra bahunoktena bhaktāssarvedhikāriṇaḥ

Translation

Wer im Brahmacarya gefestigt ist und von Bhakti erfüllt, erlangt Ähnlichkeit mit Mir. Was braucht es noch vieler Worte? Alle Hingebenden sind befähigt (für Meine Gnade und den Weg, den Ich lehre).

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्यरतः: one devoted to celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्यरतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य-रत (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्मचर्य + रत)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘रत’ = आसक्त/निरत

• भक्त्या: by devotion
• भक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• मत्-सादृश्यम्: likeness to me
• मत्-सादृश्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत् + सादृश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मत् = मम)

• अवाप्नुयात्: may attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• किम्: what (need)
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक सर्वनाम

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (adverb of place)

• बहुना: with much (talk)
• बहुना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘बहु’ = बहुत/अधिक

• उक्तेन: by what is said/with speaking
• उक्तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उक्त (कृदन्त; वच् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle)

• भक्ताः: devotees
• भक्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• अधिकारिणः: qualified/eligible persons
• अधिकारिणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधिकारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Affirms universal eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva’s grace through bhakti supported by brahmacarya; frames pilgrimage/vrata as effective when grounded in discipline and devotion rather than birth-status.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that disciplined purity (brahmacarya) joined with bhakti matures into Shiva-sārūpya—becoming godlike in qualities through Śiva’s grace—showing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on devotion supported by right conduct.

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

Linga worship is a Saguna focus that stabilizes devotion; when practiced with restraint and purity, it refines the devotee’s consciousness toward Śiva’s presence, culminating in closeness and likeness to Him rather than mere external ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse points to brahmacarya as a supporting vow for bhakti; practically, it aligns with daily Shiva-puja, japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and a life of sensory restraint to intensify devotion.