Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9

काम्यकर्मविभागः — Taxonomy of Kāmya (Desire-Motivated) Śaiva Rites

Devanagari script

शिवाश्रिता हि ते शैवा ज्ञानयज्ञरता नराः । माहेश्वरास्समाख्याता कर्मयज्ञरता भुवि

Transliteration

śivāśritā hi te śaivā jñānayajñaratā narāḥ | māheśvarāssamākhyātā karmayajñaratā bhuvi

Translation

Les Śaivas qui ont pris refuge en Śiva et se consacrent au sacrifice de la connaissance (jñāna-yajña) sont véritablement bénis. En ce monde, ceux qui se vouent au sacrifice de l’action rituelle et du devoir (karma-yajña) sont appelés Māheśvaras.

Word by Word

• śiva-āśritāḥ: Śiva-dependent / taking refuge in Śiva
• śiva-āśritāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + āśrita (कृदन्त; ā-√śri श्रि + क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त) used adjectivally; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘those who have taken refuge in Śiva’

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात; emphasis/causal)

• te: they/those
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक; सर्वनाम)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• śaivāḥ: Śaivas
• śaivāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); in apposition to te

• jñāna-yajña-ratāḥ: devoted to the knowledge-sacrifice
• jñāna-yajña-ratāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक) + yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + rata (कृदन्त; √ram रम् + क्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘devoted to the sacrifice of knowledge’

• narāḥ: men/people
• narāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• māheśvarāḥ: Māheśvaras
• māheśvarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māheśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• samākhyātāḥ: are called/known as
• samākhyātāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया; nominal predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-√khyā (धातु; ख्या) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); predicate adjective ‘are called’

• karma-yajña-ratāḥ: devoted to ritual-action sacrifice
• karma-yajña-ratāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karma (प्रातिपदिक) + yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + rata (कृदन्त; √ram रम् + क्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘devoted to the sacrifice of action/rites’

• bhuvi: on earth/in the world
• bhuvi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhū (प्रातिपदिक; स्त्रीलिङ्ग)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s teachings in the Vāyavīya Saṃhitā context)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse distinguishes two Shaiva orientations: inner worship as jñāna-yajña (self-purifying knowledge leading toward liberation under Shiva’s grace) and outer worship as karma-yajña (right ritual action and duty). Both are framed as Shiva-centered paths, with refuge in Shiva as the foundation.

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

Karma-yajña aligns with Saguna Shiva worship through prescribed rites—such as Linga-pūjā, offerings, and observances—performed as sacred duty. Jñāna-yajña points to the inward assimilation of Shiva-tattva (Shiva as Pati) where ritual matures into contemplative realization, without rejecting devotional forms.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Karma-yajña suggests disciplined Shiva worship (daily Linga-pūjā, vrata, and offerings). Jñāna-yajña suggests meditation on Shiva and mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as an inner sacrifice that refines awareness toward moksha.