Shloka 88

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

इति कृत्वा मतिं धीरो व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः । भागीरथ्यम्भसि स्नात्वा जग्राह नियमं व्रती

Transliteration

iti kṛtvā matiṃ dhīro vyāsaḥ satyavatīsutaḥ | bhāgīrathyambhasi snātvā jagrāha niyamaṃ vratī

Translation

Thus, having resolved in his mind, the steadfast sage Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, bathed in the waters of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā) and, as a disciplined votary, undertook the prescribed observance (niyama).

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), quotative particle (इति-प्रयोगः)

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त), from √कृ; ‘having done’

• मतिम्: intention, resolve
• मतिम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• धीरो: steadfast, resolute
• धीरो: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying ‘व्यासः’

• व्यासः: Vyāsa
• व्यासः: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• सत्यवती-सुतः: son of Satyavatī
• सत्यवती-सुतः: Apposition (समनाधिकरण/identifier of subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्यवती (प्रातिपदिक) + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): ‘सत्यवत्याः सुतः’; Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• भागीरथी-अम्भसि: in the waters of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā)
• भागीरथी-अम्भसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भागीरथी (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्भस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): ‘भागीरथ्याः अम्भसि’; Neuter ‘अम्भस्’, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Kriya (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त), from √स्ना; ‘having bathed’

• जग्राह: took up, undertook
• जग्राह: Kriya (क्रिया/main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्/परोक्शभूत), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• नियमम्: observance, vow-rule
• नियमम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• व्रती: the vow-observer
• व्रती: Apposition (समनाधिकरण/identifier of subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रतिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agent noun ‘one who has a vow’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Vyāsa’s Gaṅgā-bath and adoption of niyama prepares him for Śiva’s grace; the verse foregrounds tīrtha-śuddhi as a precondition for successful upāsanā.

Significance: Snāna in Bhāgīrathī is presented as purification supporting vrata and worship; it functions as sādhana-saṃskāra for approaching Śiva.

Characters & Entities

• Vyasa
• Satyavati
• Bhagirathi (Ganga)

FAQs

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

It highlights sankalpa (firm inner resolve) joined with outer purification and disciplined observance—showing that steady mind (dhīratā) and niyama prepare the seeker for Shiva-knowledge and liberation (moksha) in a Shaiva framework.

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

By first taking niyama after sacred bathing, the devotee becomes fit for Saguna Shiva worship—such as Linga-pūjā with mantra and purity—where external rites support inward concentration on Pati (Shiva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A preparatory practice is implied: sacred bath (snāna), followed by a vow/discipline (vrata-niyama) and mental resolve (sankalpa), which can be paired with japa of Shiva’s mantra (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as the observance proceeds.