Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 13

समयाह्वय-संस्कारः — Rite of ‘Samayāhvaya’ and the Preparatory Layout

Maṇḍapa, Vedi, Kuṇḍas, Maṇḍala, Śiva-kumbha

Devanagari script

भृङ्गारं वर्धनीं चापि शंखं च चक्रमेव वा । विना सूत्रादिकं सर्वं पद्मपत्रमथापि वा

Transliteration

bhṛṅgāraṃ vardhanīṃ cāpi śaṃkhaṃ ca cakrameva vā | vinā sūtrādikaṃ sarvaṃ padmapatramathāpi vā

Translation

Ob Wassergefäß (bṛṅgāra), Sprengkrug (vardhanī), Muschel (śaṅkha) oder gar ein Diskus (cakra) — jedes derartige Ding — ist ohne die weihende Schnur und die zugehörigen heiligenden Zubehörteile insgesamt rituell wirkungslos; selbst ein dargebrachtes Lotusblatt ist ebenso.

Word by Word

• भृङ्गारम्: a ewer/pitcher (bhṛṅgāra)
• भृङ्गारम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृङ्गार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• वर्धनीम्: a vessel called vardhanī
• वर्धनीम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्धनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction ‘and’)

• अपि: also
• अपि: समुच्चय/बल (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• शङ्खम्: conch
• शङ्खम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• चक्रम्: disc/wheel
• चक्रम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: सम्बन्ध (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक निपात (restrictive particle ‘indeed/just’)

• वा: or
• वा: विकल्प (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक

• विना: without
• विना: अपादान (Apādāna/Ablative separation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपपद-योगे पञ्चमी-अर्थक (preposition ‘without’, governs Ablative sense)

• सूत्र-आदिकम्: thread and the like
• सूत्र-आदिकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासः तत्पुरुषः (सूत्रं आदिः यस्य/सूत्रादि = ‘thread etc.’)

• सर्वम्: all (of these)
• सर्वम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण/सर्वनाम-प्रयोग (pronominal adjective)

• पद्म-पत्रम्: a lotus leaf
• पद्म-पत्रम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + पत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासः तत्पुरुषः (पद्मस्य पत्रम्)

• अथ: then/also
• अथ: सम्बन्ध (Discourse)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भार्थक (sequencing particle ‘then/now’)

• अपि: also
• अपि: समुच्चय/बल (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• वा: or
• वा: विकल्प (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Shiva-puja is not merely about possessing sacred-looking objects, but about sanctification and right preparation—outer order reflecting inner discipline—so worship becomes a valid offering to Pati (Shiva) rather than a hollow display.

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

In Saguna Shiva worship of the Linga, offerings and instruments are to be properly prepared and consecrated; otherwise, they do not attain the status of upacāra (fit ritual service) and fail to support focused devotion and correct observance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Ensure puja articles are duly sanctified (with the required sūtra and related preparations) and then perform worship with mantra and steady attention—supporting japa such as the Panchakshara, "Om Namaḥ Śivāya," alongside disciplined ritual conduct.