Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 71

द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)

Devanagari script

अनंताद्याश्च नागेंद्रा नागैस्तत्तत्कुलोद्भवैः । डाकिनीभूतवेतालप्रेतभैरवनायकाः

Transliteration

anaṃtādyāśca nāgeṃdrā nāgaistattatkulodbhavaiḥ | ḍākinībhūtavetālapretabhairavanāyakāḥ

Translation

The serpent-lords beginning with Ananta—together with the serpents born in their respective lineages—and the leaders of the ḍākinīs, bhūtas, vetālas, pretas, and the fierce hosts of Bhairava, also assembled.

Word by Word

• अनन्त-आद्याः: beginning with Ananta
• अनन्त-आद्याः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—‘आदि’ (ending with)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• नागेन्द्राः: lords of serpents
• नागेन्द्राः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नागेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• नागैः: by/with serpents
• नागैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• तत्-तत्-कुल-उद्भवैः: born from their respective lineages
• तत्-तत्-कुल-उद्भवैः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + कुल (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण—‘उद्भव’ = ‘कुलात् उद्भवः’ (born from a family), ‘तत्-तत्’ = respective

• डाकिनी-भूत-वेताल-प्रेत-भैरव-नायकाः: leaders of ḍākinīs, spirits, vetālas, pretas, and bhairavas
• डाकिनी-भूत-वेताल-प्रेत-भैरव-नायकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डाकिनी (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + वेताल (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रेत (प्रातिपदिक) + भैरव (प्रातिपदिक) + नायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/समाहार-निर्देशः—‘डाकिन्यादीनां नायकाः’ (leaders of ḍākinīs, bhūtas, vetālas, pretas, bhairavas)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Kālabhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Acknowledges bhūta-gaṇa and fierce retinues as part of Śiva’s protective ecology; propitiation pacifies obstacles (vighna) around worship.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Ananta
• Nagas
• Dakini
• Bhutas
• Vetalas
• Pretas
• Bhairava

FAQs

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

It portrays the universal sovereignty of Shiva (Pati): even serpents and fierce spirit-hosts are not independent powers but attendants within his cosmic order, indicating that all beings and forces are ultimately governed by the Lord.

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

In Saguna worship, Shiva is revered as the Lord of the gaṇas and Bhairava-hosts; devotion to the Linga aligns the devotee with Shiva’s protective dominion, where chaotic or fearsome forces are subdued and integrated under dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with rudrākṣa, and wearing tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as Shiva’s mark, is traditionally taught as a Shaiva discipline for protection, purity, and fearlessness amid such forces.