Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 47

पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga

Devanagari script

भरद्वाजश्च वर्णानां क्रमशश्चर्षयः स्मृताः । गायत्र्यनुष्टुप्त्रिष्टुप्च छंदांसि बृहती विराट्

Transliteration

bharadvājaśca varṇānāṃ kramaśaścarṣayaḥ smṛtāḥ | gāyatryanuṣṭuptriṣṭupca chaṃdāṃsi bṛhatī virāṭ

Translation

In due sequence, Bharadvāja and the other seers are remembered in relation to the classes (varṇas). Likewise, the metres are taught as Gāyatrī, Anuṣṭubh, Triṣṭubh, Bṛhatī, and Virāṭ.

Word by Word

• भरद्वाजः: Bharadvāja
• भरद्वाजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharadvāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• वर्णानाम्: of the syllables/letters
• वर्णानाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (plural)

• क्रमशः: in sequence
• क्रमशः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kramaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘in order/ क्रमात्’)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• ऋषयः: seers (ṛṣis)
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• स्मृताः: are remembered / are stated
• स्मृताः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु) → smṛta (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• गायत्री: Gāyatrī (metre)
• गायत्री: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāyatrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• अनुष्टुप्: Anuṣṭubh (metre)
• अनुष्टुप्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anuṣṭubh (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine; छन्दोनाम), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• त्रिष्टुप्: Triṣṭubh (metre)
• त्रिष्टुप्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: triṣṭubh (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine; छन्दोनाम), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• छन्दांसि: metres
• छन्दांसि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: chandas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• बृहती: Bṛhatī (metre)
• बृहती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bṛhatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine; छन्दोनाम), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• विराट्: Virāṭ (metre)
• विराट्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: virāṭ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine; छन्दोनाम), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Bharadvaja

FAQs

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

It emphasizes sacred order (krama) in transmission—rishis, varṇas, and chandas—showing that disciplined learning and correct recitation support purity of worship and the inward turning needed for Shiva-realization.

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

Linga worship is traditionally supported by mantra and hymn recitation; identifying chandas underscores that prayer to Saguna Shiva is strengthened when chanted in the proper Vedic metrical framework, preserving śakti (mantra-power) and clarity of devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to chant Shiva-mantras and stotras with correct pronunciation and rhythm (chandas), maintaining steadiness of breath and attention—an aid to japa and meditative absorption on Shiva.