Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 59

शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)

Devanagari script

अमानिनो बुद्धिमंतस्त्यक्तस्पर्धाः प्रियंवदाः । ऋजवो मृदवः स्वच्छा विनीताः स्थिरचेतसः

Transliteration

amānino buddhimaṃtastyaktaspardhāḥ priyaṃvadāḥ | ṛjavo mṛdavaḥ svacchā vinītāḥ sthiracetasaḥ

Translation

Free from self-importance, endowed with discernment, having abandoned rivalry, and speaking with kindness—straightforward, gentle, pure, disciplined, and steady-minded: these are the qualities of those fit for the Śaiva path, leading to the grace of Pati (Lord Śiva) and release from bondage.

Word by Word

• amāninaḥ: humble; not proud
• amāninaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-mānin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; ‘without pride’

• buddhimantaḥ: intelligent
• buddhimantaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: buddhi-mant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (possessive in sense) compound; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• tyakta-spardhāḥ: free from rivalry
• tyakta-spardhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tyakta (√tyaj धातु + क्त) + spardhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi compound; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; ‘whose rivalry is abandoned’

• priyaṃ-vadāḥ: sweet-spoken
• priyaṃ-vadāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priyam (प्रातिपदिक) + vada (√vad धातु, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• ṛjavaḥ: straightforward
• ṛjavaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛju (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• mṛdavaḥ: gentle
• mṛdavaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• svacchāḥ: pure; clear
• svacchāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svaccha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• vinītāḥ: disciplined; well-trained
• vinītāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√nī (नी धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle used adjectivally; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• sthira-cetasaḥ: steady-minded
• sthira-cetasaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthira (प्रातिपदिक) + cetas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi compound; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; ‘whose mind is steady’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines the inner marks of a true Shaiva seeker—humility, clarity, and steadiness—showing that liberation arises not only from outer rites but from purified conduct that makes one receptive to Shiva’s grace (anugraha).

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

Linga worship is most fruitful when supported by these virtues: absence of ego, gentle truthfulness, and disciplined mind. Such qualities turn ritual into living devotion, aligning the worshipper with Saguna Shiva’s compassionate presence and preparing the mind for deeper realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) with a steady mind, maintain purity and humility, and pair worship with sattvic speech and non-competitiveness; these are the inner disciplines that empower any use of Rudraksha or Bhasma.