Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6

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

Maṇḍapa, Vedi, Kuṇḍas, Maṇḍala, Śiva-kumbha

Devanagari script

रक्तहेमादिभिश्चूर्णैरीश्वरावाहनोचितम् । सिंदूरशालिनीवारचूर्णैरेवाथ निर्धनः

Transliteration

raktahemādibhiścūrṇairīśvarāvāhanocitam | siṃdūraśālinīvāracūrṇairevātha nirdhanaḥ

Translation

Zur Anrufung des Herrn Īśvara (Śiva) im Gottesdienst gelten Pulver aus roten Substanzen, Gold und dergleichen als geeignet. Doch wer arm ist, kann dieselbe Anrufung auch nur mit Zinnober-, Reis- und Zuckerpulver vollziehen.

Word by Word

• रक्त-हेम-आदिभिः: with (powders) of red, gold, etc.
• रक्त-हेम-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + हेमन्/हेम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः—रक्तहेमादि इति तत्पुरुषः (रक्तं हेम च आदयः येषु तैः)

• चूर्णैः: with powders
• चूर्णैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• ईश्वर-आवाहन-उचितम्: suitable for invoking Īśvara
• ईश्वर-आवाहन-उचितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आवाहन (प्रातिपदिक) + उचित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—ईश्वरावाहनस्य उचितम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; विशेषणम् (चूर्णैः/कर्मणि प्रयुक्तस्य)

• सिन्दूर-शालिनी-वार-चूर्णैः: with powders of sindūra, śālinī, and vārā (a kind of grain)
• सिन्दूर-शालिनी-वार-चूर्णैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिन्दूर (प्रातिपदिक) + शालिनी (प्रातिपदिक) + वार (प्रातिपदिक) + चूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (सिन्दूरशालिनीवारस्य चूर्णैः)

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; अवधारणार्थक निपातः (particle of emphasis)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; आरम्भ/अनन्तरार्थक (then/now)

• निर्धनः: a poor person
• निर्धनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that īśvarāvāhana (invoking Shiva) depends primarily on devotion and right intention, not on costly materials—an inclusive Shaiva principle where bhakti makes worship complete.

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

Āvāhana is a key step in Saguna worship, where Shiva is reverently invoked into the worship-context (often the Linga). The verse affirms that even simple, accessible offerings can support proper Linga-pūjā when done with faith.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests a practical pūjā guideline: use auspicious powders for avahana—luxurious ones if available, or simple substitutes like sindoor, rice, and sugar if poor—while maintaining focused devotion and Shiva-remembrance (e.g., japa of Om Namaḥ Śivāya).