Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

पूजाविधान-व्याख्या (Pūjāvidhāna-vyākhyā) — Exposition of the Procedure of Worship

Devanagari script

प्रफुल्लोत्पलपत्राभां विस्तीर्णायतलोचनाम् । पूर्णचंद्राभवदनां नीलकुंचितमूर्धजाम्

Transliteration

praphullotpalapatrābhāṃ vistīrṇāyatalocanām | pūrṇacaṃdrābhavadanāṃ nīlakuṃcitamūrdhajām

Translation

Her eyes were wide and long, like the petals of a fully-bloomed blue lotus; her face shone like the full moon; and her hair was dark and gracefully curled.

Word by Word

• प्रफुल्लोत्पलपत्राभाम्: having the radiance like a blooming lotus-petal
• प्रफुल्लोत्पलपत्राभाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रफुल्ल-उत्पल-पत्र-आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—प्रफुल्लस्य उत्पलस्य पत्रस्य इव आभा यस्याः (having the lustre like a fully-bloomed lotus-petal)

• विस्तीर्णायतलोचनाम्: with wide, elongated eyes
• विस्तीर्णायतलोचनाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्तीर्ण-आयत-लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—विस्तीर्णे च आयते च लोचने यस्याः (with wide and long eyes)

• पूर्णचन्द्राभवदनाम्: with a face like the full moon
• पूर्णचन्द्राभवदनाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्ण-चन्द्र-आभ-वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—पूर्णचन्द्रस्य इव आभा यस्याः वदनम् (face like the full moon)

• नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजाम्: with dark, curly hair
• नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील-कुञ्चित-मूर्धज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—नीलाः कुञ्चिताः मूर्धजाः यस्याः (with dark, curly hair)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse contemplates the auspicious, luminous form of the Divine Mother, supporting Saguna-bhakti: by meditating on her sacred qualities, the devotee’s mind becomes purified and fit for grace (anugraha) from Pati, Shiva.

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

In Shaiva practice, Saguna contemplation of Parvati and Shiva steadies devotion and prepares the heart for deeper realization of Shiva’s supreme nature; reverence to the Mother complements Linga-worship by nurturing humility, purity, and loving surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A simple dhyāna (meditation) on the Mother’s lotus-like eyes and moon-like face can be done before japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), as a way to collect the mind and awaken devotion.