Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30

पञ्चाक्षरमाहात्म्यम् / The Greatness of the Pañcākṣarī (Five-Syllable) Mantra

Devanagari script

नित्योत्सवं प्रकुर्वीत यथोक्तं शिवशासने । विपुले तैजसे पात्रे रक्तपद्मोपशोभिते

Transliteration

nityotsavaṃ prakurvīta yathoktaṃ śivaśāsane | vipule taijase pātre raktapadmopaśobhite

Translation

Man soll das tägliche heilige Fest (die regelmäßige Verehrung) genau nach Śivas Gebot vollziehen. Die Gaben sind in einem großen, glänzenden Gefäß zu ordnen, geschmückt mit roten Lotosblüten.

Word by Word

• nitya-utsavam: the daily festival/regular celebration
• nitya-utsavam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक) + utsava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (nityaḥ utsavaḥ)

• prakurvīta: should perform
• prakurvīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• yathā-uktam: as prescribed/said
• yathā-uktam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + ukta (कृदन्त; vac धातु/वच्)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः ‘as stated’

• śiva-śāsane: in Śiva’s ordinance/teaching
• śiva-śāsane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + śāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (śivasya śāsanam)

• vipule: in a large (vessel)
• vipule: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of pātre)

• taijase: in a shining/metallic (vessel)
• taijase: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: taijasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of pātre)

• pātre: in a vessel
• pātre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• rakta-padma-upaśobhite: adorned with red lotuses
• rakta-padma-upaśobhite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta (प्रातिपदिक) + padma (प्रातिपदिक) + upaśobhita (कृदन्त; śubh धातु/शुभ्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of pātre); समासः (raktaṃ padmaṃ tena upaśobhitaṃ)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse is procedural (nityotsava) rather than site-specific; it reflects the general temple/household Śaiva nityapūjā framework rather than a particular Jyotirliṅga legend.

Significance: Emphasizes daily observance as a stabilizing sādhana: regular worship purifies the paśu and prepares for Śiva’s anugraha through sustained discipline.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotion becomes transformative when it is steady and rule-guided—daily worship performed according to Śiva’s own injunctions purifies the devotee and aligns the soul (paśu) toward Śiva (Pati).

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

By prescribing a concrete worship setting—an auspicious vessel and lotus adornment—it supports Saguna upāsanā, where the devotee approaches Śiva through revered forms and sacred materials while cultivating inner reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain a nitya-pūjā routine as per Śiva-śāsana, preparing offerings in a clean, radiant vessel and adorning with red lotuses—emphasizing regularity, purity of materials, and focused devotional attention.