Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 74

अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः

Agnikārya and Homa Procedure

Devanagari script

निर्वर्त्य शिवयोः पूजां प्रारभेत पुरोदितम्

Transliteration

nirvartya śivayoḥ pūjāṃ prārabheta puroditam

Translation

Habiendo cumplido debidamente la adoración de Śiva y Śakti, debe entonces iniciarse el rito que fue prescrito de antemano.

Word by Word

• nirvartya: having completed
• nirvartya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-vṛt (धातु √वृत् with उपसर्ग निर्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), ‘having completed/accomplished’

• śivayoḥ: of Śiva and Śivā
• śivayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Dual (द्विवचन); ‘of the two Śivas’ i.e., Śiva and Śivā

• pūjām: worship
• pūjām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• prārabheta: should begin
• prārabheta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√rabh (धातु √रभ् with उपसर्ग प्र)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person, Singular

• puroditam: as previously prescribed
• puroditam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puras (प्रातिपदिक) + udita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; ‘previously stated’ qualifying (procedure) understood

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It emphasizes niyama (scriptural discipline): worship of Shiva together with Shakti is to be completed properly, and only then should the seeker proceed with the next prescribed observance—showing that grace and liberation-oriented practice arise from orderly, reverent devotion.

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

The verse supports Saguna upasana as the practical doorway: after performing pūjā (often centered on the Shiva Linga) with awareness of Shiva-Shakti unity, one follows the earlier-stated ritual sequence, aligning personal devotion with Purāṇic/Āgamic instruction.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests following the prescribed order of worship—complete the Shiva-Shakti pūjā first, then commence the next rite (such as japa of the Panchakshara, dhyāna, vrata observances, or ancillary offerings) exactly as previously instructed.