Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37

शिवतत्त्वे परापरभावविचारः

Inquiry into Śiva’s Principle and the Parā–Aparā Paradox

Devanagari script

तच्छैशवं स्वरूपं च तस्य दृष्ट्वा मनोहरम् । सह देवसुरैर्लोकैर्विस्मिते च विमोहिते

Transliteration

tacchaiśavaṃ svarūpaṃ ca tasya dṛṣṭvā manoharam | saha devasurairlokairvismite ca vimohite

Translation

En voyant sa ravissante forme d’enfant, les mondes—avec les dieux et les asuras—furent saisis d’étonnement et plongés dans une totale stupeur.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘शैशवम्’

• शैशवम्: childhood/infancy
• शैशवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैशव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• स्वरूपम्: form/nature
• स्वरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• तस्य: of him/of that
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्यय; अर्थः ‘दृष्ट्वा = having seen’

• मनोहरम्: charming
• मनोहरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोहर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (शैशवम्/स्वरूपम्)

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (सहार्थ/ सहकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-योगे अव्यय (preposition-like indeclinable); सह + तृतीया

• देवसुरैः: with gods and asuras
• देवसुरैः: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (देवाश्च असुराश्च)

• लोकैः: with the worlds/people
• लोकैः: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• विस्मिते: when (they were) astonished
• विस्मिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + स्मि (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP) ‘विस्मित’; सप्तमी (7th/Locative), द्विवचन/एकवचन?— यहाँ ‘देवसुरैः लोकैः’ इत्यस्य लोकेटिव् एब्सोल्यूट-भावः: ‘(तेषु) विस्मितेषु’; पाठानुसार ‘विस्मिते’ = सप्तमी द्विवचन/एकवचन लेखनभेद

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• विमोहिते: when (they were) bewildered
• विमोहिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + मुह् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP) ‘विमोहित’; सप्तमी (7th/Locative), द्विवचन/एकवचन; ‘(तेषु) विमोहितेषु’ (locative absolute sense)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Collective cosmic astonishment (loka-vyāpti) at a divine form that exceeds ordinary cognition.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

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

The verse highlights Shiva’s saguna manifestation: even devas and asuras are stunned before his leela, showing that the Lord’s presence surpasses ordinary cognition and draws beings toward humility and devotion—an opening for grace in the Shaiva path.

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

Just as the Linga reveals Shiva beyond limiting concepts while still being worshipable, this childlike form presents Shiva as accessible and charming (saguna), yet capable of confounding the pride of celestial beings—guiding the devotee from form-based worship toward deeper realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dhyāna with bhakti: contemplate Shiva’s auspicious form while repeating the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), letting awe (vismaya) dissolve egoic certainty; this aligns with Shiva Purana-style devotion supported by japa and inner recollection.