Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36

रुद्रस्य परमात्मत्वे ब्रह्मपुत्रत्वादिसंशयप्रश्नः — Questions on Rudra’s Supremacy and His ‘Sonship’ to Brahmā

Devanagari script

हेमरत्नान्विते दिव्ये मनसा तेन निर्मिते । अनंतभोगशय्यायां शयानं पंकजेक्षणम्

Transliteration

hemaratnānvite divye manasā tena nirmite | anaṃtabhogaśayyāyāṃ śayānaṃ paṃkajekṣaṇam

Translation

Sur une couche divine ornée d’or et de joyaux—façonnée par lui par la puissance de l’esprit—il contempla le Seigneur aux yeux de lotus, étendu sur le lit aux multiples replis d’Ananta, le Serpent infini.

Word by Word

• hema-ratna-anvite: in (that) endowed with gold and jewels
• hema-ratna-anvite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक) + ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; qualifying an implied feminine noun (e.g., 'śayyāyām' or 'puryām')

• divye: in the divine (place)
• divye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; qualifying the same implied locus

• manasā: by (his) mind
• manasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• tena: by him
• tena: Karta (कर्ता/agent-instrumental usage)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; pronoun referring to an agent (e.g., Brahmā)

• nirmite: in the constructed (one)
• nirmite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√mā (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; 'in (that which is) constructed'

• ananta-bhoga-śayyāyām: on the couch of endless coils (Ananta)
• ananta-bhoga-śayyāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ananta (प्रातिपदिक) + bhoga (प्रातिपदिक) + śayyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; locus of 'śayānam'

• śayānam: lying/reclining
• śayānam: Karma (कर्म/depictive object)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śī (धातु) + śānac (शानच्)
• Form: Present active participle (शानच्), Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying an implied object (e.g., 'viṣṇum')

• paṅkaja-īkṣaṇam: lotus-eyed
• paṅkaja-īkṣaṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paṅkaja (प्रातिपदिक) + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; bahuvrīhi = 'one whose eyes are like lotuses'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Kṣīrābdhi-śayana motif (cosmic repose on Ananta)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Ananta (Shesha)

FAQs

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

It highlights a yogic, mind-supported vision of the divine form: sacred imagery steadies awareness and prepares the seeker to recognize the Supreme Pati beyond changing appearances—central to Shaiva Siddhanta’s path from form to transcendence.

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

By describing a clear Saguna contemplation (a deity-form perceived and revered), it supports the Shaiva principle that worship begins with graspable forms—like the Shiva Linga—so the mind becomes purified and capable of realizing Shiva as the supreme reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Dhyana (visual contemplation) is implied—mentally installing a divine form and resting attention steadily; practitioners may pair this with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) and disciplined purity (bhasma/rudraksha where prescribed) to stabilize meditation.