Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 66

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वादीनि क्रमादेतत्पद्मं कन्दस्य मूलतः । ककारादिटकारांता वर्णाः पर्णान्यनुक्रमात्

Transliteration

pūrvādīni kramādetatpadmaṃ kandasya mūlataḥ | kakārādiṭakārāṃtā varṇāḥ parṇānyanukramāt

Translation

Vom eigentlichen Grund des Kanda (Knollens) aus ist dieser Lotus der Reihe nach angeordnet, beginnend mit der östlichen Richtung und so weiter; und seine Blätter sind der Folge nach die Buchstaben, beginnend mit „ka“ und endend mit „ṭa“.

Word by Word

• pūrva-ādīni: beginning with the east (etc.)
• pūrva-ādīni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समासः—पूर्वः आदिः येषाम् (beginning with east/previous)

• kramāt: in sequence
• kramāt: Hetu/Adverbial (हेतु/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; adverbial use ‘in order/ क्रमशः’

• etat: this
• etat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; demonstrative used adjectivally

• padmam: lotus
• padmam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• kandasya: of the bulb/root-stalk
• kandasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• mūlataḥ: from the base
• mūlataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय) meaning ‘from the root/base’

• kakāra-ādi-ṭakāra-antāḥ: starting with ‘ka’ and ending with ‘ṭa’
• kakāra-ādi-ṭakāra-antāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kakāra (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + ṭakāra (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समासः—ककारः आदिः येषाम्, टकारः अन्तः येषाम् (beginning with ka and ending with ṭa)

• varṇāḥ: letters
• varṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• parṇāni: petals/leaves
• parṇāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• anukramāt: according to order
• anukramāt: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anukrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; adverbial use ‘according to sequence’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Tārā

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It maps a meditative “inner lotus” to ordered directions and ordered phonemes, indicating that spiritual ascent in Shaiva yoga proceeds through disciplined sequence—aligning body, space (directions), and sound (varṇas) toward realization of Pati (Shiva).

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

The lotus-base (kanda) and the ordered letters function as an inner support (ālambana) for Saguna-focused contemplation—using sound and form as aids—leading the devotee toward the subtler, transcendent Shiva beyond supports.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A mantra-nyāsa style visualization: contemplate a lotus at the kanda/root-base, place directions in order, and mentally assign the Sanskrit letters (ka to ṭa) to the petals as a preparatory discipline for Shiva-mantra japa and yogic concentration.