Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 29

अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas

Devanagari script

छायाहीनविनिष्पत्तिरिन्द्रियाणामदर्शनम् । खेचरत्वं यथाकाममिन्द्रियार्थसमन्वयः

Transliteration

chāyāhīnaviniṣpattirindriyāṇāmadarśanam | khecaratvaṃ yathākāmamindriyārthasamanvayaḥ

Translation

One attains a state in which the body’s shadow no longer appears; the sense-organs become imperceptible; one gains the power to move through the sky at will; and the faculties of sense come into complete mastery and coordination with their objects—these are described as yogic attainments arising from the discipline taught in the Vāyu Saṃhitā, yet they are to be subordinated to devotion to Pati (Śiva) for liberation.

Word by Word

• छायाहीनविनिष्पत्तिः: manifestation/production without a shadow
• छायाहीनविनिष्पत्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया-हीन-विनिष्पत्ति (प्रातिपदिक; छाया + हीन + विनिष्पत्ति)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); ‘छायया हीना विनिष्पत्तिः’ इति बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः

• इन्द्रियाणाम्: of the senses
• इन्द्रियाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), षष्ठी विभक्ति (Gen. 6), बहुवचन (pl.)

• अदर्शनम्: non-perception / invisibility
• अदर्शनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अदर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.)

• खेचरत्वम्: the state of moving in the sky (sky-walking)
• खेचरत्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेचर-त्व (प्रातिपदिक; खेचर + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); ‘खेचरस्य भावः’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• यथाकामम्: as desired / at will
• यथाकामम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा-काम (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• इन्द्रियार्थसमन्वयः: coordination/union of senses with their objects
• इन्द्रियार्थसमन्वयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय-अर्थ-समन्वय (प्रातिपदिक; इन्द्रिय + अर्थ + समन्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nom. 1), एकवचन (sg.); ‘इन्द्रियाणाम् अर्थानां समन्वयः’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It lists yogic siddhis—subtle bodily transformation, imperceptibility of the senses, sky-going, and mastery of sense-engagement—highlighting that extraordinary powers can arise in practice, but in Shaiva teaching they are secondary to realizing Pati (Shiva) and attaining liberation.

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

Siddhis may appear through discipline, but Linga/Saguna Shiva worship reorients the seeker from fascination with powers toward surrender, purification of pasha (bondage), and grace-centered realization of Shiva as the supreme Lord beyond all attainments.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies sustained yogic discipline and sense-mastery; in Shiva Purana practice this is best grounded in japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dhyāna on Shiva, and steady observances (e.g., Tripundra/Bhasma and Rudraksha) so that siddhis do not become obstacles to bhakti and moksha.