Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6

अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः

Agnikārya and Homa Procedure

Devanagari script

अंगुलैः कथ्यते सद्भिश्चतुर्विंशतिभिः करः । मेखलानां त्रयं वापि द्वयमेकमथापि वा

Transliteration

aṃgulaiḥ kathyate sadbhiścaturviṃśatibhiḥ karaḥ | mekhalānāṃ trayaṃ vāpi dvayamekamathāpi vā

Translation

Die Frommen erklären, dass eine „Hand“ (kara) mit vierundzwanzig aṅgula (Fingerbreiten) bemessen wird. Für die heiligen Gürtel (mekhalā) kann man drei tragen, oder zwei, oder sogar nur einen.

Word by Word

• अङ्गुलैः: by (means of) fingers
• अङ्गुलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• कथ्यते: is said/defined
• कथ्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive)

• सद्भिः: by the good/learned (persons)
• सद्भिः: Kartr (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• चतुर्विंशतिभिः: by twenty-four (units)
• चतुर्विंशतिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्विंशति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन (संख्याशब्दः)

• करः: a kara (hand-measure)
• करः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

• मेखलानाम्: of girdles/bands
• मेखलानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेखला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन

• त्रयम्: three
• त्रयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (संख्याशब्दः)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (particle of option)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• द्वयम्: two
• द्वयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (संख्याशब्दः)

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (संख्याशब्दः)

• अथ: then/also
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then/now)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Shaiva practice is supported by disciplined observance—right measure and right form—so outer order steadies the mind for inner worship of Pati (Shiva) and loosens the bonds (pāśa) of negligence.

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

By prescribing standard measures and permissible options (three, two, or one mekhalā), the text frames ritual worship of Saguna Shiva—such as Linga-pūjā—as orderly and scripturally grounded, ensuring the devotee’s offerings and preparations align with śāstra.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests attention to traditional ritual preparation—using correct units like aṅgula and kara and properly wearing the mekhalā—supporting focused japa and pūjā (often alongside Shaiva observances such as bhasma, rudrākṣa, and mantra discipline where applicable).