Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30

अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas

Devanagari script

आकाशलंघनं चैव स्वदेहे तन्निवेशनम् । आकाशपिण्डीकरणमशरीरत्वमेव च

Transliteration

ākāśalaṃghanaṃ caiva svadehe tanniveśanam | ākāśapiṇḍīkaraṇamaśarīratvameva ca

Translation

Er erlangt die yogischen Kräfte, den Himmel zu durchmessen, jenes (subtile Element) im eigenen Leib wohnen zu lassen, das Raumelement zu einer greifbaren Masse zu verdichten und sogar körperlos zu werden. Solche Errungenschaften entstehen als Nebenfrüchte auf dem Pfad des Śiva‑Yoga, während die Befreiung durch die Gnade des Herrn und rechte Erkenntnis gewonnen wird.

Word by Word

• आकाशलंघनम्: leaping/traversing the sky
• आकाशलंघनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश-लंघन (प्रातिपदिक; आकाश + लंघन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); ‘आकाशस्य लंघनम्’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

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

• एव: indeed / also
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (indeed/also)

• स्वदेहे: in one’s own body
• स्वदेहे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-देह (प्रातिपदिक; स्व + देह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Loc. 7), एकवचन (sg.); ‘स्वः देहः’ इति कर्मधारयः

• तत्: that
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम-विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (sg.); ‘that’ (as determiner)

• निवेशनम्: placing/establishing (lodging)
• निवेशनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवेशन (प्रातिपदिक; नि-√विश् से)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.)

• आकाशपिण्डीकरणम्: condensing/solidifying the sky
• आकाशपिण्डीकरणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश-पिण्डीकरण (प्रातिपदिक; आकाश + पिण्डीकरण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); ‘आकाशस्य पिण्डीकरणम्’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• अशरीरत्वम्: bodilessness
• अशरीरत्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-शरीर-त्व (प्रातिपदिक; नञ् + शरीर + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); नञ्-तत्पुरुषः (negated compound): ‘शरीरं न अस्ति’ → bodilessness

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (indeed)

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

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse lists extraordinary yogic siddhis (mastery over ākāśa and even disembodiment) to show that such powers can arise through intense practice, yet in Shaiva Siddhanta they remain secondary; the highest aim is union with Pati (Śiva) through grace, right knowledge, and devotion.

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

Vāyavīya teachings emphasize that siddhis may come through discipline, but steadiness in Linga-worship and devotion to Saguna Śiva purifies the soul (paśu) and loosens bonds (pāśa); thus worship is directed toward liberation rather than display of powers.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The implied practice is Śiva-yoga—meditation with mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and inner concentration on Śiva—treating siddhis as incidental and maintaining humility and purity (often supported by traditional Shaiva disciplines like bhasma and Rudrāksha where prescribed).