Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 4

समयाह्वय-संस्कारः — Rite of ‘Samayāhvaya’ and the Preparatory Layout

Maṇḍapa, Vedi, Kuṇḍas, Maṇḍala, Śiva-kumbha

Devanagari script

प्रधानकुंडं कुर्वीत यद्वा पश्चिमभागतः । प्रधानमेकमेवाथ कृत्वा शोभां प्रकल्पयेत्

Transliteration

pradhānakuṃḍaṃ kurvīta yadvā paścimabhāgataḥ | pradhānamekamevātha kṛtvā śobhāṃ prakalpayet

Translation

Let the worshipper construct the principal fire-pit (kuṇḍa), or else place it on the western side. Having made only one such principal altar, he should then arrange its proper beauty and auspicious embellishment for the rite.

Word by Word

• प्रधान-कुण्डम्: the main fire-pit
• प्रधान-कुण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रधान (प्रातिपदिक) + कुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: प्रधानं कुण्डम् (the principal pit)

• कुर्वीत: should make
• कुर्वीत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यद्वा: or else
• यद्वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/option)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यद्वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (alternative particle)

• पश्चिम-भागतः: from/on the western side
• पश्चिम-भागतः: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) 'भागतः' = 'from the side'; तत्पुरुष: पश्चिमः भागः

• प्रधानम्: the principal (one)
• प्रधानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'प्रधानम्' इति विशेषण

• एव: only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (restrictive particle)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक/आरम्भसूचक निपात (then/thereupon)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund), 'having made/done'

• शोभाम्: beauty/ornamentation
• शोभाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रकल्पयेत्: should arrange/prepare
• प्रकल्पयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कल्प् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shaiva worship should be done with order and auspiciousness—establishing a single, well-prepared principal kuṇḍa reflects one-pointed devotion toward Pati (Shiva) and disciplined purity in practice.

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

The verse supports the outer framework of Saguna Shiva worship: the properly placed and beautified principal kuṇḍa aids the rite that accompanies Linga-puja, aligning the sacred space so offerings and mantra are performed without distraction.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prepare one main fire-pit (optionally on the western side) and keep the altar orderly and auspicious; this complements mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) and focused offering during Shiva worship.