Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 74

अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः

Agnikārya and Homa Procedure

Devanagari script

निर्वर्त्य शिवयोः पूजां प्रारभेत पुरोदितम्

Transliteration

nirvartya śivayoḥ pūjāṃ prārabheta puroditam

Translation

Nachdem die Verehrung Śivas und Śaktis ordnungsgemäß vollendet ist, soll man sodann das zuvor vorgeschriebene Ritual beginnen.

Word by Word

• nirvartya: having completed
• nirvartya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-vṛt (धातु √वृत् with उपसर्ग निर्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), ‘having completed/accomplished’

• śivayoḥ: of Śiva and Śivā
• śivayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual (द्विवचन); ‘of the two Śivas’ i.e., Śiva and Śivā

• pūjām: worship
• pūjām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• prārabheta: should begin
• prārabheta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√rabh (धातु √रभ् with उपसर्ग प्र)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person, Singular

• puroditam: as previously prescribed
• puroditam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puras (प्रातिपदिक) + udita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; ‘previously stated’ qualifying (procedure) understood

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It emphasizes niyama (scriptural discipline): worship of Shiva together with Shakti is to be completed properly, and only then should the seeker proceed with the next prescribed observance—showing that grace and liberation-oriented practice arise from orderly, reverent devotion.

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

The verse supports Saguna upasana as the practical doorway: after performing pūjā (often centered on the Shiva Linga) with awareness of Shiva-Shakti unity, one follows the earlier-stated ritual sequence, aligning personal devotion with Purāṇic/Āgamic instruction.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests following the prescribed order of worship—complete the Shiva-Shakti pūjā first, then commence the next rite (such as japa of the Panchakshara, dhyāna, vrata observances, or ancillary offerings) exactly as previously instructed.