Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 39

पञ्चावरणमार्गस्थं योगेश्वरस्तोत्रम्

Pañcāvaraṇa-mārga Stotra to Yogeśvara Śiva

Devanagari script

शिवस्य पश्चिमं वक्त्रं शिवपादार्चने रतम् । निवृत्तिपदनिष्ठं च पृथिव्यां समवस्थितम्

Transliteration

śivasya paścimaṃ vaktraṃ śivapādārcane ratam | nivṛttipadaniṣṭhaṃ ca pṛthivyāṃ samavasthitam

Translation

Shivas westliches Antlitz ist der Verehrung von Shivas Füßen hingegeben; es verweilt im Zustand namens Nivṛtti und ist im Erdelement gegründet.

Word by Word

• शिवस्य: of Śiva
• शिवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• पश्चिमम्: western
• पश्चिमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण to ‘वक्त्रम्’

• वक्त्रम्: face/mouth
• वक्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वक्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• शिवपादार्चने: in the worship of Śiva’s feet
• शिवपादार्चने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + पाद + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: शिवस्य पादाः + अर्चनम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• रतम्: engaged/delighting
• रतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण to ‘वक्त्रम्’ (engaged/delighting)

• निवृत्तिपदनिष्ठम्: abiding in the state/step of nivṛtti
• निवृत्तिपदनिष्ठम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निवृत्ति + पद + निष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: निवृत्ति-पद + निष्ठ (तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण to ‘वक्त्रम्’

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• पृथिव्याम्: on the earth
• पृथिव्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• समवस्थितम्: situated/established
• समवस्थितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-अव-स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past Passive Participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण to ‘वक्त्रम्’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links Shiva’s western face with Nivṛtti—spiritual withdrawal from worldly entanglement—showing that devotion (especially to Shiva’s feet) supports the soul’s turning away from bondage (pāśa) toward liberation under Pati (Shiva).

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

By describing a specific ‘face’ and its function, the verse affirms Saguna Shiva as a compassionate, approachable form. Such contemplation can be integrated into Liṅga worship by meditating on Shiva’s aspects while offering reverent service (arcana), especially at the feet—symbolizing surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice pāda-pūjā in spirit during Shiva worship—offer water, flowers, and mantra-recitation with humility—while meditating on Nivṛtti (inner withdrawal), grounding the mind like the earth-element in steadiness and restraint.