Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 73

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

Devanagari script

कदम्बगोलकाकारं तुषारकणिकोपमम् । क्षित्यादितत्त्वविजयं ध्याता यद्यपि वाञ्छति

Transliteration

kadambagolakākāraṃ tuṣārakaṇikopamam | kṣityāditattvavijayaṃ dhyātā yadyapi vāñchati

Translation

Selbst wenn der Meditierende danach verlangt, die Prinzipien (tattva) beginnend mit dem Erdelement zu bezwingen und zu transzendieren, soll er Jene Wirklichkeit betrachten: kugelförmig wie die Kadamba-Frucht und gleich einem winzigen Reifkörnchen — subtil, leuchtend und jenseits groben Ergreifens.

Word by Word

• कदम्बगोलकाकारम्: having the form of a kadamba-ball
• कदम्बगोलकाकारम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कदम्ब-गोलक-आकार (प्रातिपदिक; कदम्ब + गोलक + आकार)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("कदम्बस्य गोलकः" इव आकारः)

• तुषारकणिकोपमम्: like a snow-granule
• तुषारकणिकोपमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुषार-कणिका-उपम (प्रातिपदिक; तुषार + कणिका + उपम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("तुषारकणिकायाः उपमम्" = like a snow-pellet)

• क्षिति-आदि-तत्त्व-विजयम्: mastery/conquest of the principles beginning with earth
• क्षिति-आदि-तत्त्व-विजयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति-आदि-तत्त्व-विजय (प्रातिपदिक; क्षिति + आदि + तत्त्व + विजय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म; तत्पुरुष ("क्षित्यादीनां तत्त्वानां विजयः")

• ध्याता: the meditator
• ध्याता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √ध्यै (धातु) + तृ (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय) → ध्यातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्तरि-तृन्त (agent noun: meditator)

• यद्यपि: although
• यद्यपि: Sambandha/Concession (सम्बन्ध/अनुज्ञा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि + अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय-समुच्चय; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग; concessive particle (although)

• वाञ्छति: desires
• वाञ्छति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वाञ्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches subtle meditation: by fixing awareness on a refined, luminous symbol of Pati (Shiva), the yogin gains mastery over the gross-to-subtle tattvas (beginning with earth) and moves toward liberation.

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

The globular, luminous comparison points to a contemplative support (ālambana) akin to the Linga—Saguna as a meditative aid—through which one approaches the transcendent (Nirguna) Shiva beyond the elements.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Dhyāna on a subtle, sphere-like form—paired with Shaiva japa such as the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—aiming at inner refinement and tattva-śuddhi rather than outward ritual alone.