Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 64

पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow

Devanagari script

भस्मशायी तृणेशायी चीराजिनधृतो ऽथवा । ब्रह्मचर्यव्रतो नित्यं व्रतमेतत्समाचरेत्

Transliteration

bhasmaśāyī tṛṇeśāyī cīrājinadhṛto 'thavā | brahmacaryavrato nityaṃ vratametatsamācaret

Translation

Qu’il observe sans cesse ce vœu : dormir sur la cendre sacrée ou sur l’herbe, porter l’écorce en vêtement ou une peau de daim ; et demeurer toujours établi dans le vœu de brahmacarya (continence).

Word by Word

• भस्म-शायी: one who lies on ashes
• भस्म-शायी: Karta (कर्ता—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + शायी (कृदन्त/शय् धातु)
• Form: कृदन्तः—णिनि/ई (agentive adjectival); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (व्रती/साधकः implied)

• तृण-शायी: one who lies on grass
• तृण-शायी: Karta (कर्ता—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृण (प्रातिपदिक) + शायी (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• चीर-अजिन-धृतः: wearing bark-cloth and deerskin
• चीर-अजिन-धृतः: Karta (कर्ता—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चीर (प्रातिपदिक) + अजिन (प्रातिपदिक) + धृत (कृदन्त/धृ धातु, PPP)
• Form: समासः—(चीर + अजिन) द्वन्द्व, ततः ‘धृत’ इति बहिर्ग्रहणेन; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• अथवा: or
• अथवा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—विकल्प (alternative: or)

• ब्रह्मचर्य-व्रतः: one vowed to celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्य-व्रतः: Karta (कर्ता—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावे प्रयुक्तम्—क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative)

• व्रतम्: vow/observance
• व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (व्रतम्)

• समाचरेत्: should practice/observe
• समाचरेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/Potential), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a sthala-purāṇa passage; it prescribes a Śaiva vrata (ascetic discipline) as preparation for purity and steadiness in Śiva-upāsanā.

Significance: General Śaiva sādhana instruction: cultivating vairāgya and śuddhi to become fit for liṅga-pūjā and mantra-japa.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches a Shaiva vrata of simplification and self-restraint—reducing bodily indulgence (simple bedding and clothing) and stabilizing brahmacarya—so the aspirant becomes fit for Shiva-bhakti and inner purity leading toward liberation.

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

By prescribing ash (bhasma) and disciplined living, it aligns the devotee with Shiva’s ascetic ideal often symbolized in Linga worship—purity, detachment, and steadiness—supporting focused pūjā, japa, and contemplation of Saguna Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice a vrata marked by brahmacarya and austerity, and include reverent use of bhasma (as a Shaiva marker like tripuṇḍra) alongside steady japa/meditation—especially suitable during observances such as Mahāśivarātri.