Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48

शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)

Devanagari script

गुरुमाराधयेत्प्राज्ञं शुभगं प्रियदर्शनम् । सर्वाभयप्रदातारं करुणाक्रांतमानसम्

Transliteration

gurumārādhayetprājñaṃ śubhagaṃ priyadarśanam | sarvābhayapradātāraṃ karuṇākrāṃtamānasam

Translation

Man soll den Guru in Hingabe verehren—weise, glückverheißend und lieblich anzuschauen—den Spender jeder Furchtlosigkeit, dessen Geist von Mitgefühl durchdrungen und bewegt ist.

Word by Word

• gurum: the teacher
• gurum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• ārādhayet: should worship/serve
• ārādhayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√rādh (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• prājñam: wise
• prājñam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prājña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying 'gurum')

• śubhagam: auspicious/fortunate
• śubhagam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubhaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• priyadarśanam: pleasant to behold
• priyadarśanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (प्रियं दर्शनं यस्य/प्रियदर्शनः) used adjectivally

• sarvābhayapradātāram: giver of all fearlessness
• sarvābhayapradātāram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + abhaya + pra-dātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषाम् अभयानां प्रदाता)

• karuṇākrāntamānasam: whose mind is moved/overcome by compassion
• karuṇākrāntamānasam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karuṇā + ākrānta + mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (करुणया आक्रान्तं मानसं यस्य/करुणया आक्रान्तमानसः) used adjectivally

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Positions guru-ārādhana as the channel of Śiva’s anugraha: fearlessness (abhaya) and compassion are marks of authentic guidance leading toward liberation.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Guru

FAQs

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

It teaches that progress toward Shiva (Pati) is stabilized through Guru-bhakti: the Guru’s wisdom and compassion remove fear and guide the bound soul (paśu) beyond bondage (pāśa) toward liberation.

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

In Shaiva practice, the Guru transmits right understanding and method for Saguna worship—such as Linga-pūjā, mantra, and purity—so devotion becomes a means of grace rather than mere external ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies Guru-sevā and reverent worship: receiving mantra-initiation, daily japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and disciplined conduct under the Guru’s compassionate guidance.