Shloka 56

Śiva-Śakti Tattva, Varṇa-Rahasya, and Mahāvākya-Bhāvanā

Interpretive Discipline

Devanagari script

तव स्नेहान्मयायं वै वामदेव मुनीश्वर । योगपट्टप्रकारस्ते प्रोक्तो गुह्यतरोऽपि हि

Transliteration

tava snehānmayāyaṃ vai vāmadeva munīśvara | yogapaṭṭaprakāraste prokto guhyataro'pi hi

Translation

O Vāmadeva, lord among sages—out of affection for you I have indeed explained this method of the yogapaṭṭa (the yogic support-belt/seat); for it is a teaching that is exceedingly secret.

Word by Word

• tava: your
• tava: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• snehāt: from affection
• snehāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sneha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; हेतौ (because of/from affection)

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• vai: indeed
• vai: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• vāmadeva: O Vāmadeva
• vāmadeva: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāmadeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• munīśvara: O lord of sages
• munīśvara: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मुनीनां ईश्वरः)

• yoga-paṭṭa-prakāraḥ: the method of the yoga-belt
• yoga-paṭṭa-prakāraḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + paṭṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + prakāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी/सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषार्थे समासः (योगपट्टस्य प्रकारः)

• te: to you
• te: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (dative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• proktaḥ: has been taught/declared
• proktaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√vac (वच्, धातु; क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘कथितः’

• guhyataraḥ: more secret
• guhyataraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तरप्-प्रत्यय (comparative)

• api: even/also
• api: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-निपात (also/even)

• hi: for/indeed
• hi: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चये निपात (for/indeed)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights ‘guhya’ (esoteric) yogic instruction given only through intimacy and trust—mirrors Siddhānta’s guarded transmission of yoga/mantra under adhikāra.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Vamadeva

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that higher yogic disciplines are revealed through Shiva’s grace (anugraha) and the intimacy of devotion; sacred knowledge is ‘guhya’ because it must be protected and practiced with purity, not merely discussed.

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

Although it speaks of yoga technique, the setting is Shiva as the compassionate Guru (Saguna Shiva) imparting a secret aid for meditation—supporting steady contemplation that culminates in realizing Shiva as Pati, the liberator beyond bondage.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to a practical yogic aid—using a yogapaṭṭa (support-belt/seat arrangement) to stabilize posture for meditation and breath-discipline, enabling sustained japa or inner contemplation in a steady, seated practice.