Shloka 20

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

नावयोर्घटते सङ्गो काचकांचनयोरिव । तुल्यजात्याकृतिकयोः संगः सौख्यप्रदो भवेत्

Transliteration

nāvayorghaṭate saṅgo kācakāṃcanayoriva | tulyajātyākṛtikayoḥ saṃgaḥ saukhyaprado bhavet

Translation

Between two dissimilar persons, true concord does not arise—just as between glass and gold. But association between those of similar nature and disposition becomes a giver of happiness.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• āvayoḥ: of us two/between us two
• āvayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-द्विवचन-प्रयोग (we two), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual)

• ghaṭate: is possible/occurs
• ghaṭate: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ghaṭ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• saṅgaḥ: association/union
• saṅgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• kāca-kāṃcanayoḥ: of glass and gold
• kāca-kāṃcanayoḥ: Upamāna (उपमान/Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāca (प्रातिपदिक) + kāṃcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे सामान्यतः), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual); द्वन्द्वः: काचं च काञ्चनं च

• iva: like/as
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमार्थक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• tulya-jāti-ākṛtikayoḥ: of those of similar caste/nature and form
• tulya-jāti-ākṛtikayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tulya (प्रातिपदिक) + jāti (प्रातिपदिक) + ākṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (determinative): तुल्या जातिः च आकृतिः च यस्य/ययोः; here qualifying persons (implicit)

• saṅgaḥ: association
• saṅgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• saukhya-pradaḥ: bestowing happiness
• saukhya-pradaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saukhya (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: सौख्यं प्रददाति इति

• bhavet: would be/may become
• bhavet: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Shiva (instructing Umā/Parvatī in the Umāsaṃhitā’s philosophical discourse)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It teaches discernment in companionship: harmony arises through shared disposition and values, and in spiritual life this points to satsanga—keeping company that supports devotion to Shiva and inner steadiness.

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

Linga/Saguna worship is strengthened by supportive association—devotees who share faith, discipline, and reverence help sustain regular pūjā, mantra, and ethical living, whereas mismatched company often weakens practice.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Seek satsanga: chant the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with like-minded devotees, maintain purity with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as per capacity, and keep a steady daily Shiva-pūjā routine.