Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 44

आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship

Devanagari script

शांतैः स्मितमुखैः स्फीतैः सदाचारपरायणैः । शैवैर्माहेश्वरैश्चैव श्रीमद्भिस्सेवितद्विजैः

Transliteration

śāṃtaiḥ smitamukhaiḥ sphītaiḥ sadācāraparāyaṇaiḥ | śaivairmāheśvaraiścaiva śrīmadbhissevitadvijaiḥ

Translation

Dort versammelten sich heitere Verehrer mit lächelndem Antlitz—wohlhabend und der rechten Lebensführung ergeben—Śaivas und Māheśvaras, ebenso ehrwürdige Brāhmaṇas, die von den Begünstigten geehrt und bedient wurden.

Word by Word

• शान्तैः: by/with the peaceful ones
• शान्तैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• स्मित-मुखैः: with smiling faces
• स्मित-मुखैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्मित (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (स्मितं मुखं येषाम्/स्मितमुखाः)

• स्फीतैः: with prosperous/abundant (ones)
• स्फीतैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्फीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सदाचार-परायणैः: devoted to good conduct
• सदाचार-परायणैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदाचार (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सदाचारस्य परायणाः)

• शैवैः: with Śaivas
• शैवैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• माहेश्वरैः: with Māheśvaras (devotees of Maheśvara)
• माहेश्वरैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माहेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: अवधारण (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (emphatic particle)

• श्रीमद्भिः: with illustrious/fortunate (ones)
• श्रीमद्भिः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• सेवित-द्विजैः: with Brahmins who are served/honoured
• सेवित-द्विजैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrumental association)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सेवित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (सेविताः द्विजाः येषु/यैः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Satsaṅga with Śaiva/Māheśvara devotees and dhārmika brāhmaṇas is presented as an auspicious support for steady worship and purification of conduct (ācāra-śuddhi), strengthening the aspirant’s eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva-bhakti.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse defines the marks of authentic Śaiva life—inner peace, gentle joy, prosperity aligned with dharma, and unwavering good conduct—showing that devotion to Pati (Shiva) is proved through purified character and a sattvic community.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely ritual display; it is supported by sadācāra, humility, and service to the worthy (especially brāhmaṇas and elders). Such qualities indicate a stable Saguna devotion that matures toward knowledge of Shiva as the supreme Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implicitly recommends a Shaiva discipline of calmness and ethical living alongside worship—daily Shiva-puja with a peaceful mind, respectful service (seva) to the virtuous, and steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to cultivate śānti.