Shloka 34

Svagati-varṇana

Description of the Supreme State / One’s True Attainment

Devanagari script

वामपार्श्वे तु तस्यैव शंखचक्रगदाधरः । वैनतेयं समास्थाय तथा नारायणः स्थितः

Transliteration

vāmapārśve tu tasyaiva śaṃkhacakragadādharaḥ | vainateyaṃ samāsthāya tathā nārāyaṇaḥ sthitaḥ

Translation

On his very left side stood Nārāyaṇa, bearing the conch, discus, and mace, seated upon Vainateya (Garuḍa).

Word by Word

• वामपार्श्वे: on the left side
• वामपार्श्वे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम-पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/अनुवादार्थक

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• शंखचक्रगदाधरः: the bearer of conch, discus, and mace
• शंखचक्रगदाधरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंख-चक्र-गदा-धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (उपपद: धर = 'धारयति'); कर्तृपद

• वैनतेयम्: Vainateya (Garuḍa)
• वैनतेयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैनतेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• समास्थाय: having mounted/ascended
• समास्थाय: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययकृदन्त; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया; धातु: √स्था (1P) उपसर्ग: सम्+आ

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner)

• नारायणः: Nārāyaṇa (Viṣṇu)
• नारायणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्तृपद

• स्थितः: stood/was stationed
• स्थितः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; √स्था; भावे/कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थः; 'stood/was stationed'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse depicts the divine assembly around Śiva, with Nārāyaṇa positioned at Śiva’s left as part of the cosmic court (śivaparivāra).

Significance: Darśana of Śiva as Pati acknowledged even by Nārāyaṇa; reinforces śaraṇāgati and the hierarchy of grace (anugraha) in Śaiva Siddhānta.

Characters & Entities

• Narayana
• Garuda (Vainateya)

FAQs

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

It highlights concord between Śiva and Nārāyaṇa: divine powers are shown as mutually honoring, guiding devotees toward non-sectarian devotion and the Shaiva Siddhānta aim of grace leading to liberation.

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

By presenting Nārāyaṇa respectfully positioned at the Lord’s side, the text supports Saguna contemplation—seeing the Supreme (Pati) revealed through sacred forms and attendants—while Linga-worship remains the Shaiva focal point as the sign of Śiva’s transcendent reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice devotional dhyāna on the divine assembly: meditate on Śiva’s presence with reverent remembrance of Nārāyaṇa; accompany it with japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to steady the mind in bhakti.