Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 61

शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)

Devanagari script

शोध्या बोध्या यथान्यायमिति शास्त्रेषु निश्चयः । नाधिकारः स्वतो नार्याः शिवसंस्कारकर्मणि

Transliteration

śodhyā bodhyā yathānyāyamiti śāstreṣu niścayaḥ | nādhikāraḥ svato nāryāḥ śivasaṃskārakarmaṇi

Translation

Les śāstra sont arrêtés sur ce point : il faut être purifié et instruit selon la règle juste. De son propre chef, la femme n’a pas de droit autonome pour accomplir les rites de consécration relevant des observances sacramentelles de Śiva.

Word by Word

• śodhyā: to be purified
• śodhyā: Karma (कर्म) — implied object to be purified
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śodhya (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √śudh/śodh धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (sg); भविष्यत्कर्तव्यता/विधेय-विशेषण (gerundive/तव्यत्-प्रत्ययः)

• bodhyā: to be instructed
• bodhyā: Karma (कर्म) — implied object to be instructed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bodhya (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √budh धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (sg); तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive)

• yathā: according to
• yathā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/रीति-वाचक (adverb of manner: 'as/according to')

• nyāyam: rule; proper procedure
• nyāyam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण) — manner/standard
• Type: Noun
• Root: nyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (sg)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) — quotation marker
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-समाप्ति/इति-प्रयोग (quotative particle)

• śāstreṣu: in the scriptures
• śāstreṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāstra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन (pl)

• niścayaḥ: the determination; settled conclusion
• niścayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) — predicate subject
• Type: Noun
• Root: niścaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (sg)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• adhikāraḥ: eligibility; authority
• adhikāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता) — subject of implied 'asti'
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhikāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (sg)

• svataḥ: by oneself; on one’s own
• svataḥ: Hetu (हेतु) / Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb)

• nāryāḥ: of a woman
• nāryāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) — possessor/related to adhikāra
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (sg)

• śiva-saṃskāra-karmaṇi: in the rite of Śiva-consecration
• śiva-saṃskāra-karmaṇi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃskāra (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (sg); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/सम्बन्ध-तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'Śiva-related consecration-rite')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Shaiva practice is grounded in śāstra: purification (śuddhi) and right instruction (bodha) must precede ritual action, reinforcing disciplined approach to approaching Pati (Śiva) and loosening pāśa (bondage) through proper means.

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

Linga worship and other Saguna-Śiva rites are treated as regulated sacramental acts; the verse frames them as śivasaṃskāra-karmas that require proper qualification, purification, and guidance rather than mere personal preference.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to seek authorized instruction and undergo prescribed purification before undertaking Shaiva observances—especially mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī) and formal worship—so practice aligns with scriptural rule.