Shloka 89

Vyāsotpatti-kathana

Account of the Birth/Origin of Vyāsa

Devanagari script

क्वचित्पर्णाशनो भूत्त्वा फलशाकाशनः क्वचित् । वातभुग्जलभुक्क्वापि क्वचिन्निरशनव्रती

Transliteration

kvacitparṇāśano bhūttvā phalaśākāśanaḥ kvacit | vātabhugjalabhukkvāpi kvacinniraśanavratī

Translation

At times he lived on leaves; at times he ate fruits and vegetables. Sometimes he subsisted only on air, sometimes only on water; and at other times he observed the vow of complete fasting—thus practising severe restraint for the sake of Śiva-realization.

Word by Word

• क्वचित्: sometimes
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• पर्ण-आशनः: leaf-eater (one who eats leaves)
• पर्ण-आशनः: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (कर्मधारय/उपपद-तत्पुरुष sense: ‘पर्णम् आशनम् यस्य/पर्णं अश्नाति’); Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

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

• फल-शाक-आशनः: eater of fruits and vegetables
• फल-शाक-आशनः: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक) + शाक (प्रातिपदिक) + आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva within first members (फल+शाक) + Tatpuruṣa with आशनः; Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• क्वचित्: sometimes
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb

• वात-भुक्: air-eater (living on air)
• वात-भुक्: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वात (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज् (धातु)
• Form: Upapada-tatpuruṣa with agent noun (क्विप्/क्विन् type) ‘भुक्’ from √भुज् ‘to eat’; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• जल-भुक्: water-drinker (living on water)
• जल-भुक्: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज् (धातु)
• Form: Upapada-tatpuruṣa; ‘भुक्’ agent noun from √भुज्; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• क्वापि: at some time / somewhere
• क्वापि: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्व (अव्यय) + अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb ‘somewhere/at some time’; particle combination

• क्वचित्: sometimes
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb

• निरशन-व्रती: one vowed to fasting
• निरशन-व्रती: Apposition (समनाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निरशन (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रतिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: ‘निरशनं व्रतम् अस्य’/‘निरशनं व्रतं चरति’; Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Illustrates tapas/niyama as a means to thin pāśa (bondage) and make the soul fit for Śiva’s anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights tapas (austerity) and self-restraint as a means to purify the pashu (bound soul) from pasha (bondage) and turn the mind toward Pati (Lord Shiva), making devotion steady and fit for grace.

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

Such vows support Saguna Shiva worship by disciplining the senses and concentrating devotion, so that Linga-puja, japa, and meditation become one-pointed and capable of revealing Shiva’s presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is vrata (fasting or regulated diet) joined with Shiva-japa—especially the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and silent meditation, as commonly emphasized for Mahāśivarātri observance.