Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

नाग्न्यभ्याशे जलाभ्याशे शुष्कपर्णचये ऽपि वा । न दंशमशकाकीर्णे सर्पश्वापदसंकुले

Transliteration

nāgnyabhyāśe jalābhyāśe śuṣkaparṇacaye 'pi vā | na daṃśamaśakākīrṇe sarpaśvāpadasaṃkule

Translation

Man soll weder nahe beim Feuer noch nahe beim Wasser, ja nicht einmal auf einem Haufen trockener Blätter sitzen oder Verehrung/Meditation ausüben; ebenso wenig an einem Ort voller stechender Insekten und Mücken oder in einem Gebiet, das von Schlangen und wilden Tieren wimmelt.

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• अग्नि-अभ्याशे: near fire
• अग्नि-अभ्याशे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्याश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी) ‘अग्नेः अभ्याशः’ = ‘near fire’

• जल-अभ्याशे: near water
• जल-अभ्याशे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्याश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी) ‘जलस्य अभ्याशः’

• शुष्क-पर्ण-चये: in a heap of dry leaves
• शुष्क-पर्ण-चये: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुष्क (प्रातिपदिक) + पर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; तत्पुरुषः ‘शुष्काणि पर्णानि’ (कर्मधारय within) + ‘चय’ (heap)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle (विकल्प-निपात)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• दंश-मशक-आकीर्णे: in (a place) infested with gnats and mosquitoes
• दंश-मशक-आकीर्णे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दंश (प्रातिपदिक) + मशक (प्रातिपदिक) + आकीर्ण (कृदन्त; आ-कीर्ण from √कॄ/√कीर्)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; ‘दंश’ + ‘मशक’ as द्वन्द्व (biting insects & mosquitoes) + आकीर्ण (PPP/क्त) ‘filled with’

• सर्प-श्वापद-संकुले: in (a place) crowded with snakes and wild beasts
• सर्प-श्वापद-संकुले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक) + श्वापद (प्रातिपदिक) + संकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; ‘सर्प’ + ‘श्वापद’ as द्वन्द्व; संकुल = ‘crowded with’ used adjectivally

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames the sādhaka’s protection of attention (ekāgratā) by avoiding distracting/dangerous environments; supports the Siddhānta emphasis that right deśa-kāla safeguards the pashu from pasha-like disturbances (fear, agitation).

FAQs

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

It teaches niyama (disciplined restraint): choosing a safe, steady, and sattvic place for japa and meditation so the mind can rest in Shiva (Pati) without disturbance from fear, discomfort, or distraction.

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

Linga-puja and Saguna Shiva upasana require steadiness and purity of attention; this verse emphasizes selecting a suitable worship-space so external hazards do not break concentration or reverence during offerings, mantra, and contemplation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies a practical rule for japa/dhyana: sit in a clean, protected place (āsana) away from dangers and irritants, then perform Panchakshara japa, Tripundra/Bhasma observance, and Shiva-dhyana without interruption.