Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31

ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation

on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva

Devanagari script

तथांतर्ध्याननिरताः प्रियाश्शंभोर्न कर्मिणः । बहिस्करा यथा लोके नातीव फलभोगिनः

Transliteration

tathāṃtardhyānaniratāḥ priyāśśaṃbhorna karmiṇaḥ | bahiskarā yathā loke nātīva phalabhoginaḥ

Translation

Likewise, those devoted to inner contemplation are dear to Śambhu, not those obsessed with mere ritual action. For outward show—like superficial adornment in the world—does not bring one to a deep enjoyment of the true fruits of practice.

Word by Word

• tathā: so; likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: तद्वत्/तुल्यार्थक-अव्ययम् (correlative ‘so/thus’)

• antar-dhyāna-niratāḥ: engaged in inner meditation
• antar-dhyāna-niratāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: antar (अव्यय) + dhyāna (प्रातिपदिक) + nirata (√ram धातु; निः+√रम्/√रम्, क्त-प्रत्ययान्त प्रातिपदिकरूप)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः; विशेषणम् (karmiṇaḥ implied/understood)

• priyāḥ: dear
• priyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; विशेषणम् (antar-dhyāna-niratāḥ)

• śambhoḥ: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• śambhoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śambhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम्

• karmiṇaḥ: ritualists/doers of actions
• karmiṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक) + in (इन्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त (agent noun)

• bahiḥ-karāḥ: outward-acting (externalists)
• bahiḥ-karāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bahiḥ (अव्यय) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अर्थः—‘those who act outwardly’

• yathā: as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानार्थक-अव्ययम्

• loke: in the world
• loke: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम्

• atīva: excessively; very much
• atīva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atīva (अव्यय)
• Form: अत्यर्थक-अव्ययम् (intensifier ‘excessively/very’)

• phala-bhoginaḥ: enjoyers of results
• phala-bhoginaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक) + bhogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘phalasya bhoginaḥ’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva is most pleased by antardhyāna—inner absorption and sincere devotion—rather than by actions performed as external display or for worldly results.

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

Linga-worship is fulfilled when outer pūjā becomes a doorway to inner stillness—seeing the Linga as the presence of Śiva and turning the mind inward, not treating worship as mere performance.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prioritize daily dhyāna with japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and let external observances like bhasma or rudrākṣa support inner recollection rather than replace it.