Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 55

शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)

Devanagari script

ततस्तपश्चरत्तं तं बालमेकाकिनं कृशम् । उपमन्युं द्विजवरं शिवसंसक्तमानसम्

Transliteration

tatastapaścarattaṃ taṃ bālamekākinaṃ kṛśam | upamanyuṃ dvijavaraṃ śivasaṃsaktamānasam

Translation

Thereafter, that boy Upamanyu—the foremost among the twice-born—was seen practicing austerities, alone and emaciated, with his mind wholly absorbed in Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: सम्बन्ध (Discourse link/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb); क्रम/अनन्तर्ये

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; समासे पूर्वपदम्

• चरन्तम्: practising (doing)
• चरन्तम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (बालम्/उपमन्युम्)

• तम्: that (him)
• तम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• बालम्: the boy
• बालम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; उपमन्युम् इति विशेष्य

• एकाकिनम्: solitary/alone
• एकाकिनम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकाकिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (बालम्/उपमन्युम्)

• कृशम्: emaciated/thin
• कृशम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (बालम्/उपमन्युम्)

• उपमन्युम्: Upamanyu
• उपमन्युम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपमन्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; व्यक्तिनाम

• द्विजवरम्: best of the twice-born
• द्विजवरम्: विशेषण (Appositive/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; उपमन्युम् इति विशेष्य; समासः कर्मधारयः (वरः द्विजः)

• शिवसंसक्तमानसम्: whose mind was attached to Śiva
• शिवसंसक्तमानसम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + संसक्त + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—यस्य मानसं शिवे संसक्तम्; उपमन्युम् इति विशेषणम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Upamanyu

FAQs

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

It highlights ekāgratā (one-pointedness): when the soul turns away from distractions and fixes the mind on Pati (Śiva), austerity becomes a purifying force that ripens devotion into grace-oriented liberation.

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

The verse describes inner absorption in Śiva (saguna-upāsanā as a support for the mind). In the Purāṇic setting, such devotion typically culminates in Śiva’s manifest response—often through linga-worship or a direct vision—showing that focused bhakti draws divine presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is sustained japa with disciplined living—especially the Panchākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—along with simple austerity, solitude for meditation, and steady contemplation on Śiva as the liberating Lord.