Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20

आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship

Devanagari script

विद्युद्वलयकल्पानि भूषणानि विशेषतः । सर्वाण्येतानि कर्पूरनिर्यासागुरुचन्दनैः

Transliteration

vidyudvalayakalpāni bhūṣaṇāni viśeṣataḥ | sarvāṇyetāni karpūraniryāsāgurucandanaiḥ

Translation

Besonders waren die Schmuckstücke wie Ringe aus Blitzlicht gestaltet; und alle waren mit Kampfer, duftenden Harzen, Agaru (Aloesholz) und Sandelholz parfümiert.

Word by Word

• विद्युत्-वलय-कल्पानि: like lightning-bracelets (bracelet-like, lightning-like)
• विद्युत्-वलय-कल्पानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्युत् (प्रातिपदिक) + वलय (प्रातिपदिक) + कल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (adjectival use)

• भूषणानि: ornaments
• भूषणानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन

• विशेषतः: especially
• विशेषतः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेषतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• एतानि: these
• एतानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• कर्पूर-निर्यास-अगुरु-चन्दनैः: with camphor, resin, aloe-wood, and sandalwood
• कर्पूर-निर्यास-अगुरु-चन्दनैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्पूर (प्रातिपदिक) + निर्यास (प्रातिपदिक) + अगुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (copulative)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

FAQs

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

It highlights the auspicious, sattvic beauty of divine manifestation—radiant like lightning and sanctified by pure fragrances—pointing to how devotion refines perception of Saguna (manifest) divinity while honoring Pati (Shiva) as the supreme.

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

The verse reflects the Purāṇic mode of Saguna worship where pleasing, pure substances (like sandalwood and camphor) are offered; similarly, the Shiva-linga is revered with gandha (fragrant unguents) as an outward expression of inner reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use sattvic fragrances—especially sandalwood paste and camphor—in Shiva-puja, while mentally contemplating Shiva’s luminous presence (tejas) as purifying awareness.