Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14

शिवाचार्याभिषेकविधिः / Rite of Consecrating a Śiva-Teacher (Śivācārya Abhiṣeka)

Devanagari script

पुनः शिवमनुज्ञाप्य शिवज्ञानस्य पुस्तकम् । उभाभ्यामथ पाणिभ्यां दद्याच्छिष्याय देशिकः

Transliteration

punaḥ śivamanujñāpya śivajñānasya pustakam | ubhābhyāmatha pāṇibhyāṃ dadyācchiṣyāya deśikaḥ

Translation

Having once again sought Lord Shiva’s permission, the preceptor should present the book of Shiva-knowledge to the disciple, offering it reverently with both hands.

Word by Word

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरर्थे क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: again)

• शिवम्: Śiva
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म; object of anujñāpya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन (Accusative singular)

• अनुज्ञाप्य: having sought permission
• अनुज्ञाप्य: Kriyā (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-ज्ञा/ज्ञाप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकाले कृत्य (having asked permission / having obtained leave)

• शिवज्ञानस्य: of Śiva-knowledge
• शिवज्ञानस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध) एकवचन (Genitive singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (knowledge of Śiva)

• पुस्तकम्: book
• पुस्तकम्: Karma (कर्म; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (कर्म) एकवचन (Accusative singular)

• उभाभ्याम्: with both
• उभाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण; instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (करण) द्विवचन (Instrumental dual)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरार्थक/प्रसङ्गसूचक (particle: then/now)

• पाणिभ्याम्: with (his) hands
• पाणिभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण; instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (करण) द्विवचन (Instrumental dual)

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद (should give)

• शिष्याय: to the disciple
• शिष्याय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान; recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान) एकवचन (Dative singular)

• देशिकः: the preceptor
• देशिकः: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (कर्ता) एकवचन (Nominative singular)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Śiva-jñāna is transmitted through an authorized guru and must be received with humility and reverence, showing that divine knowledge is a grace-based bestowal (Śiva’s anu-jñā) leading the paśu toward liberation under Pati.

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

By seeking Śiva’s permission before giving the teaching, the verse frames scripture and instruction as part of Saguna Śiva’s compassionate guidance—supporting right worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) through correct doctrine and disciplined practice.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests a guru-led initiation/teaching setting: approach the guru, receive Śiva-related instruction respectfully (with both hands), and then practice the taught disciplines—typically mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī), dhyāna, and Śiva-pūjā as prescribed.