Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 56

शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणं क्षत्रियं वैश्यं द्विवर्षं च त्रिवर्षकम् । प्राणद्रव्यप्रदानाद्यैरादेशैश्च समासमैः

Transliteration

brāhmaṇaṃ kṣatriyaṃ vaiśyaṃ dvivarṣaṃ ca trivarṣakam | prāṇadravyapradānādyairādeśaiśca samāsamaiḥ

Translation

He should summon a brāhmaṇa, a kṣatriya, and a vaiśya—also one who has completed two years and one who has completed three years—by brief injunctions such as the offering of life-sustaining gifts and other concise directives.

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणम्: a brāhmaṇa
• ब्राह्मणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• क्षत्रियम्: a kṣatriya
• क्षत्रियम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• वैश्यम्: a vaiśya
• वैश्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• द्वि-वर्षम्: two years (period)
• द्वि-वर्षम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (संख्यापूर्वक: ‘द्वे वर्षे’ = two years)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• त्रि-वर्षकम्: three years (period)
• त्रि-वर्षकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + वर्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (‘त्रीणि वर्षाणि’ = three years)

• प्राण-द्रव्य-प्रदान-आद्यैः: by (means of) offerings such as life/wealth-gifts etc.
• प्राण-द्रव्य-प्रदान-आद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण + द्रव्य + प्रदान + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (समाहार/सूची: ‘प्राणद्रव्यप्रदान आदि’)

• आदेशैः: by instructions/commands
• आदेशैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• समासमैः: by concise/brief (ones)
• समासमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समासम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; विशेषण (आदेशैः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

It emphasizes dharmic order and disciplined procedure: spiritual life in Shaiva teaching is supported by right conduct, proper guidance, and sustaining acts of charity that protect life and enable worship.

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

In Linga/Saguna Shiva worship, outer discipline (summoning qualified participants, giving appropriate support, and following succinct injunctions) safeguards the sanctity of the rite so devotion can mature into steadiness and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to begin worship with dharmic support—offer life-sustaining gifts (food, water, essentials) and then proceed with clear, brief ritual directions, keeping the mind focused rather than scattered.