Shloka 37

शिवध्यानपूजनवर्णनम्

Description of Śiva Meditation and Worship

Devanagari script

परव्योमावकाशाख्यं विद्ययातीव भास्वरम् । परिकल्प्यासनं मूर्त्तेः पुष्पविन्यास पूर्वकम्

Transliteration

paravyomāvakāśākhyaṃ vidyayātīva bhāsvaram | parikalpyāsanaṃ mūrtteḥ puṣpavinyāsa pūrvakam

Translation

By the power of contemplative knowledge, one should envision the supremely radiant expanse called the “space of the highest sky” (para‑vyoma). Then, arranging a seat for the Lord’s sacred form, one should first prepare it with a proper placement and offering of flowers.

Word by Word

• para-vyoma-avakāśa-ākhyam: called ‘supreme-space expanse’
• para-vyoma-avakāśa-ākhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक) + vyoma (प्रातिपदिक) + avakāśa (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक); paravyomāvakāśākhya (समास)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vidyayā: by/with (that) knowledge
• vidyayā: Karana (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• atīva: exceedingly
• atīva: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atīva (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (अव्यय) intensifier

• bhāsvaram: luminous
• bhāsvaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāsvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• parikalpya: having arranged
• parikalpya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pari + kḷp (धातु); parikalpya (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त), indeclinable; ‘having arranged/constructed’

• āsanam: seat / pedestal
• āsanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• mūrteḥ: of the form (icon/deity-form)
• mūrteḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• puṣpa-vinyāsa: flower-arrangement
• puṣpa-vinyāsa: Sahakāri (सहकारी/उपपदसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + vinyāsa (प्रातिपदिक); puṣpavinyāsa (समास)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) or Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used adverbially with pūrvakam

• pūrvakam: preceded by / with ... first
• pūrvakam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrvaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया एकवचन) meaning ‘preceded by’

Speaker

Lord Shiva (instructing on inner worship and visualization)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that true Shiva-worship begins inwardly: by vidyā (spiritual insight) one contemplates the luminous transcendental space (para-vyoma), then expresses that realization through reverent preparation for Shiva’s mūrti—uniting inner yoga with outer devotion.

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

Although the ultimate reality is subtle like boundless space, the verse directs the devotee to prepare an āsana for Shiva’s manifest form—supporting Saguna upāsanā (murti/linga worship) as a disciplined means to approach the transcendent Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A dhyāna-based pūjā: visualize the radiant supreme expanse, then ritually prepare the deity’s seat and begin with puṣpa-vinyāsa (systematic placement/offering of flowers) as the opening act of worship.