Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12

अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace

Devanagari script

प्रमाणगम्यतामात्रं तत्स्वभावोपपादकम् । न तावतात्रोपेक्षाधीरुपलक्षणमंतरा

Transliteration

pramāṇagamyatāmātraṃ tatsvabhāvopapādakam | na tāvatātropekṣādhīrupalakṣaṇamaṃtarā

Translation

Mere knowability through valid means of knowledge is what establishes a thing’s own nature. Yet in this matter, indifference is not justified without proper discernment and the indicative marks by which it is recognized.

Word by Word

• pramāṇa-gamyatā-mātram: mere knowability by valid means (pramāṇas)
• pramāṇa-gamyatā-mātram: Karma (कर्म/Predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + gamyatā (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/निर्धारणार्थः: ‘प्रमाणैः गम्यता’ इति, ‘मात्र’ = केवलम्

• tat-svabhāva-upapādakam: that which establishes its nature
• tat-svabhāva-upapādakam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + svabhāva (प्रातिपदिक) + upapādaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘तस्य स्वभावस्य उपपादकम्’

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

• tāvatā: by that much/merely by that
• tāvatā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāvat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘एतावता/इतनेन’

• atra: here/in this matter
• atra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• upekṣā-dhīḥ: a mind of indifference/neglect
• upekṣā-dhīḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upekṣā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘उपेक्षायाः धीः’

• upalakṣaṇam: indication/mark/definition
• upalakṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म/Object/Predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upalakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• antarā: without/except
• antarā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Exclusion marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: antarā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (preposition/adverb) ‘विना/अन्तरेण’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Emphasizes pramāṇa and upalakṣaṇa (valid cognition and distinguishing marks) as necessary for right recognition; in pilgrimage contexts, this supports śāstra-guided darśana over casual or indifferent viewing—transforming sight into discernment.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that spiritual truth is not reached by vague belief or mere argument; it is established through pramāṇa (right means of knowing) along with clear discernment of defining marks—guiding the seeker to recognize Shiva (Pati) correctly and not fall into careless indifference.

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

In Shaiva practice, the Linga and Saguna forms are approached through recognizable lakṣaṇas (scriptural indications, ritual marks, and meditative signs). The verse supports worship grounded in scriptural pramāṇa and proper understanding, rather than neglect or casualness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate attentive discrimination (viveka) during Shiva worship—study śāstra as pramāṇa, meditate with focused awareness, and avoid upekṣā (indifference) in japa and dhyāna, especially in practices centered on the Panchakshara mantra.