Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2

शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः

Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation

Devanagari script

अभक्तानामबुद्धीनामयुक्तानामगोचरम् । अर्थैर्दशर्धैः संयुक्तं गूढमप्राज्ञनिंदितम्

Transliteration

abhaktānāmabuddhīnāmayuktānāmagocaram | arthairdaśardhaiḥ saṃyuktaṃ gūḍhamaprājñaniṃditam

Translation

This teaching is not within the reach of the faithless, the unintelligent, or the undisciplined. United with ten profound meanings, it remains hidden—and is even disparaged by the unwise.

Word by Word

• अभक्तानाम्: of non-devotees
• अभक्तानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + भक्त (भज् धातु-क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (समूह/जन), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) बहुवचन; ‘of the non-devotees’

• अबुद्धीनाम्: of the foolish
• अबुद्धीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन; ‘of the unintelligent’

• अयुक्तानाम्: of the unfit
• अयुक्तानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ + युक्त (युज् धातु-क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (समूह/जन), षष्ठी बहुवचन; ‘of the unfit/unconnected’

• अगोचरम्: not within reach/comprehension
• अगोचरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + गोचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• अर्थैः: with meanings/senses
• अर्थैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचन

• दश: ten
• दश: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या (numeral), बहुवचनार्थे; विशेषणम् ‘ten’

• अर्धैः: with halves/partial parts
• अर्धैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन; ‘with halves/partial meanings’

• संयुक्तम्: combined
• संयुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘combined’

• गूढम्: hidden
• गूढम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गूढ (गुह् धातु-क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• अप्राज्ञनिन्दितम्: condemned by the ignorant
• अप्राज्ञनिन्दितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप्राज्ञ + निन्दित (निन्द् धातु-क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अप्राज्ञैः निन्दितम् = condemned by the ignorant)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva’s deepest doctrine is accessible through bhakti and inner discipline; without devotion and yogic fitness, the teaching remains “hidden” and is misjudged by the unwise.

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

Linga-worship is a compassionate doorway for the seeker: through reverent Saguna worship, the heart becomes purified and capable of receiving the subtler, tenfold purport of Shiva’s teaching beyond mere argument.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate bhakti and yama-niyama-like restraint, then practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady attention; such discipline makes the “hidden” meaning spiritually graspable.