Shloka 51

एकोनविंशतिशिवावतारवर्णनम्

Description of the Nineteen Manifestations/Avatāras of Śiva

Devanagari script

वैवस्वतेऽन्तरे सम्यक् प्रोक्ता हि परमात्मना । योगेश्वरावताराश्च सर्वावर्तेषु सुव्रताः

Transliteration

vaivasvate'ntare samyak proktā hi paramātmanā | yogeśvarāvatārāśca sarvāvarteṣu suvratāḥ

Translation

In the Vaivasvata Manvantara, these matters were indeed taught clearly by the Supreme Self (Paramātman). And in every cosmic cycle as well, the incarnations of the Lord of Yoga (Śiva)—those of holy vows—manifest.

Word by Word

• वैवस्वते: in the Vaivasvata (Manvantara)
• वैवस्वते: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैवस्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषण (to ‘antara’)

• अन्तरे: in the interval/Manvantara
• अन्तरे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• सम्यक्: properly/fully
• सम्यक्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण, अव्यय

• प्रोक्ताः: were proclaimed/taught
• प्रोक्ताः: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied ‘they were said’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थक

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय

• परमात्मना: by the Supreme Self
• परमात्मना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (parama-ātmā = Supreme Self)

• योगेश्वरावताराः: incarnations of Yogeśvara
• योगेश्वरावताराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगेश्वर + अवतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (yogeśvara-avatāra = incarnations of the Lord of Yoga)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक निपात, अव्यय

• सर्वावर्तेषु: in all cycles/turns
• सर्वावर्तेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + आवर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (sarva-āvarta = all cycles/turns)

• सुव्रताः: virtuous/of good vows
• सुव्रताः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (su-vrata = of good vows/virtuous)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Manvantara-cycle framing (Vaivasvata Manvantara; recurring cosmic cycles/āvartas)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It affirms Shiva as Paramatma and Yogeshvara who repeatedly manifests in different cosmic eras to re-establish yogic discipline and guide beings toward liberation.

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

By declaring that the Supreme Self teaches and manifests, the verse supports Saguna worship—such as Linga worship—as a valid means to approach the Nirguna-Paramatma Shiva through accessible forms and teachings.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is steadfast yogic vrata: daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya), meditation on Shiva as Yogeshvara, and disciplined conduct aligned with Shaiva vows.