Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 22

शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)

Devanagari script

सर्वदेवात्मकश्चासौ सर्वमंत्रमयो गुरुः । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन यस्याज्ञां शिरसा वहेत्

Transliteration

sarvadevātmakaścāsau sarvamaṃtramayo guruḥ | tasmātsarvaprayatnena yasyājñāṃ śirasā vahet

Translation

Jener Guru ist wahrlich das Wesen aller Götter und die Verkörperung aller Mantras. Darum soll man mit allem Bemühen seinen Befehl auf dem Haupt tragen — ihn als höchste Autorität anerkennen.

Word by Word

• सर्व-देव-आत्मकः: having the nature of all gods
• सर्व-देव-आत्मकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (बहुविध-निर्देशः: 'सर्वेषां देवानाम् आत्मा/स्वरूपम् यस्य' इत्यर्थे; व्यवहारतः विशेषण); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (आसौ/गुरुः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• असौ: this (one)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; निर्देशार्थक (this/that person)

• सर्व-मन्त्र-मयः: consisting of all mantras
• सर्व-मन्त्र-मयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास ('सर्वैः मन्त्रैः मयः' = consisting of all mantras); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (गुरुः)

• गुरुः: guru
• गुरुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु/Reason)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात्-इति निपातवत् (ablatival adverbial use); पञ्चमी-एकवचन-रूपेण हेत्वर्थे (therefore/from that)

• सर्व-प्रयत्नेन: with all effort
• सर्व-प्रयत्नेन: Karana (करण/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रयत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास ('सर्वः प्रयत्नः' = all effort); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (with all effort)

• यस्य: whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (whose)

• आज्ञाम्: command/permission
• आज्ञाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• शिरसा: with (one's) head
• शिरसा: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; करण (by the head)

• वहेत्: should bear/carry (on the head)
• वहेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva teaching in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches Guru-tattva: the true Shaiva Guru is revered as the living channel of divine grace and mantra-shakti, so the disciple advances by treating the Guru’s instruction as supreme and non-negotiable.

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

In Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-upasana), the Guru gives the right method—mantra, nyasa, worship-rules, and inner attitude—so honoring the Guru’s command is presented as integral to correct and fruitful Shiva-bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Consistent mantra-japa as instructed by the Guru (commonly the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with disciplined observance of the Guru’s prescribed worship routine; the emphasis is obedience and reverent practice rather than improvisation.