Shloka 23

न्यासवर्णनम् (Nyāsa-varṇanam) — Description of Nyāsa in the Saṃnyāsa Procedure

Devanagari script

अक्षस्रक्पाशखट्वांगकपालांकुशपंकजम् । शंखं चक्रं दधानस्य चतुर्वक्त्रस्य लोचनैः

Transliteration

akṣasrakpāśakhaṭvāṃgakapālāṃkuśapaṃkajam | śaṃkhaṃ cakraṃ dadhānasya caturvaktrasya locanaiḥ

Translation

With their eyes they beheld the four-faced Lord, bearing a mālā (rosary), a pāśa (noose), a khaṭvāṅga staff, a kapāla (skull-bowl), an aṅkuśa (goad), a lotus, and also the conch and the discus—revealing a saguṇa form that bestows protection and liberation.

Word by Word

• akṣa-srak-pāśa-khaṭvāṅga-kapāla-aṅkuśa-paṅkajam: rosary, garland, noose, club, skull, goad, and lotus (as a set)
• akṣa-srak-pāśa-khaṭvāṅga-kapāla-aṅkuśa-paṅkajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + srak (प्रातिपदिक) + pāśa (प्रातिपदिक) + khaṭvāṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + kapāla (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + paṅkaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga (collective), Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; itaretara-dvandva listing implements, taken as a single accusative object (samāhāra-dvandva sense possible)

• śaṅkham: conch
• śaṅkham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• cakram: discus
• cakram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• dadhānasya: of (the one) holding
• dadhānasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dhā (धा धातु) → dadhāna (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya present active participle (वर्तमानकाले शतृ), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Ekavacana; Puṃliṅga; 'of (him) who is holding/bearing'

• catur-vaktrasya: of the four-faced (one)
• catur-vaktrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catur (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + vaktra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: 'one whose faces are four'

• locanaiḥ: with (his) eyes
• locanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva’s saguna manifestation with multiple emblems, teaching that the compassionate Pati reveals a perceivable form for devotees; contemplating these symbols supports purification, protection from pāśas (bondages), and steady movement toward moksha.

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

The Linga points to Shiva’s nirguna reality, while this verse highlights the saguna aspect—Shiva assuming a form with attributes to receive devotion; both are complementary paths in Shaiva Siddhanta, leading the soul from form-based worship to realization of the formless Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Dhyana (meditation) on Shiva’s form while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” using a rudraksha rosary (akṣa-srak) and maintaining inner detachment from pāśa (bondage) as symbolized by the noose and goad.