Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 58

पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels

Devanagari script

त्रिशूलशंखयुग्माब्जनन्द्यावर्तैः करीषजैः । श्रीवत्सस्वस्तिकादर्शवज्रैर्वह्न्यादिचिह्नितैः

Transliteration

triśūlaśaṃkhayugmābjanandyāvartaiḥ karīṣajaiḥ | śrīvatsasvastikādarśavajrairvahnyādicihnitaiḥ

Translation

They are marked with auspicious emblems fashioned from sacred cow-dung—such as the trident, the conch, the paired sign, the lotus, the nandyāvarta, Śrīvatsa, the svastika, the mirror, the vajra (thunderbolt), and other signs such as fire—thus bearing holy insignia connected with the worship of Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• त्रिशूल-शंख-युग्म-अब्ज-नन्दि-आवर्तैः: with (marks such as) trident, conch, pair, lotus, Nandi, and spiral
• त्रिशूल-शंख-युग्म-अब्ज-नन्दि-आवर्तैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिशूल (प्रातिपदिक) + शंख (प्रातिपदिक) + युग्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अब्ज (प्रातिपदिक) + नन्दि (प्रातिपदिक) + आवर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वसमास (collective copulative)

• करीषजैः: made from cow-dung
• करीषजैः: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: करीषज (प्रातिपदिक) [करीष + ज (कृदन्त-प्रत्ययान्त) → 'born of dung']
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying the instrumental set)

• श्रीवत्स-स्वस्तिक-आदर्श-वज्रैः: with (marks such as) Śrīvatsa, svastika, mirror, and vajra
• श्रीवत्स-स्वस्तिक-आदर्श-वज्रैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीवत्स (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वस्तिक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदर्श (प्रातिपदिक) + वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वसमास

• वह्नि-आदि-चिह्नितैः: marked with fire etc.
• वह्नि-आदि-चिह्नितैः: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक-समासाङ्ग) + चिह्नित (कृदन्त; √चिह्न्/चिह्नय् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/कर्मणि-प्रयोग (past passive participle)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Auspicious emblems (cihna) sacralize the ritual space and guard against aśubha; supports āvaraṇa-śuddhi before approaching the liṅga.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights how external worship (bahir-ārādhana) is sanctified through auspicious Śaiva symbols—reminding the devotee that pure intention and sacred order (śuddhi and maṅgala) support inner devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

The verse describes devotional insignia used to mark or adorn worship materials around Saguna Śiva worship—especially in Linga-pūjā—where sacred emblems serve as visible supports for remembrance (smaraṇa) and reverence (bhāva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests consecrating worship items with auspicious Śaiva marks (like trident, svastika, nandyāvarta) made from purified substances (e.g., cow-dung), while maintaining mantra-japa—especially the Panchakshara—during preparation and offering.