Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

विज्ञानसिद्धयश्चैव सर्वा एवौपसर्गिकाः । निरोद्धव्या प्रयत्नेन वर्राग्येण परेण तु

Transliteration

vijñānasiddhayaścaiva sarvā evaupasargikāḥ | niroddhavyā prayatnena varrāgyeṇa pareṇa tu

Translation

Alle Errungenschaften (Siddhis), die aus yogischer Erkenntnis hervorgehen, sind in Wahrheit nur Hindernisse. Darum müssen sie mit ernsthaftem Bemühen gezügelt werden—vor allem durch höchstes Vairāgya, das vollkommene Nicht-Anhaften—damit man fest auf dem Weg zur befreienden Gnade Śivas bleibt.

Word by Word

• vijñāna-siddhayaḥ: powers/accomplishments of (yogic) knowledge
• vijñāna-siddhayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vijñāna (प्रातिपदिक) + siddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: विज्ञानस्य सिद्धयः)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• sarvāḥ: all
• sarvāḥ: Visheshaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'सिद्धयः' इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• eva: indeed
• eva: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय

• aupasargikāḥ: arising from upasargas/obstacles (incidental)
• aupasargikāḥ: Visheshaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aupasargika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'सिद्धयः' इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• niroddhavyāḥ: should be restrained
• niroddhavyāḥ: Vidhi (विधि/obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-rudh (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive/Obligative), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि भावः—'निरोध्याः/निरोद्धव्याः' = to be restrained

• prayatnena: by effort
• prayatnena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prayatna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• vairāgyeṇa: by dispassion
• vairāgyeṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vairāgya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• pareṇa: supreme/greater
• pareṇa: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; 'vairāgyeṇa' इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्यय (adversative/contrast particle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It warns that even refined yogic “successes” can become subtle bondage (pāśa) by feeding ego and distraction; the seeker should prioritize liberation through steadfast detachment and devotion-oriented discipline.

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

Linga/Saguna-Śiva worship anchors the mind in reverence and surrender rather than display of powers; by restraining siddhis, one keeps practice oriented toward Śiva as Pati (the Liberator), not toward worldly or psychic attainments.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt restraint (nirodha) and cultivate vairāgya alongside steady japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so that meditation remains one-pointed and free from fascination with siddhis.