Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 56

पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow

Devanagari script

चन्द्रसंकाशहारं च शयनीयं समर्पयेत् । आद्यं नृपोचितं हृद्यं तत्सर्वमनुरूपतः

Transliteration

candrasaṃkāśahāraṃ ca śayanīyaṃ samarpayet | ādyaṃ nṛpocitaṃ hṛdyaṃ tatsarvamanurūpataḥ

Translation

One should offer a necklace gleaming like the moon, and also a worthy bed. These foremost gifts—fit for a king and pleasing to the heart—should all be presented with due propriety, in a manner befitting the recipient.

Word by Word

• candra-saṃkāśa-hāram: a moon-lustrous necklace
• candra-saṃkāśa-hāram: Karma (कर्म—object of samarpayet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candra + saṃkāśa + hāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'a garland/necklace having moon-like lustre'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• śayanīyam: a sleeping-place/bed
• śayanīyam: Karma (कर्म—object of samarpayet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayanīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); 'bed/thing fit for sleeping'

• samarpayet: should offer
• samarpayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-arp (सम्+अर्प् धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• ādyam: foremost, primary
• ādyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies an implied offering/item: 'the foremost'

• nṛpa-ucitam: fit for a king
• nṛpa-ucitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nṛpa + ucita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'befitting a king'

• hṛdyam: pleasing, delightful
• hṛdyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hṛdya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म—object, resumptive 'that')
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Pronoun, Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• sarvam: all, the whole
• sarvam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd—द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies tat

• anurūpataḥ: appropriately, suitably
• anurūpataḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anurūpatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय): manner

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; emphasizes rāja-upacāra (royal-grade offerings) to Śiva, reflecting the Purāṇic idiom of treating the deity as cakravartin (universal sovereign).

Significance: Encourages offering according to capacity and propriety (anurūpataḥ), a key dharma of pūjā: sincerity and fitness over display; cultivates humility and devotion.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that offerings (dāna/arpana) should be noble, heart-pleasing, and given with discernment—purifying the devotee’s intent and aligning action with dharma, which supports devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

In Saguna Shiva worship, external offerings symbolize inner surrender: ornament and comfort represent honoring the Lord (or His devotees/priests) with reverence, making the puja complete through proper, fitting devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies mindful dāna and upacāra in Shiva-puja—offering suitable items with humility and purity of intention; mentally dedicate the act to Shiva while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).