Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 85

मन्त्रसिद्धिः, प्रतिबन्धनिरासः, श्रद्धा-नियमाः

Mantra Efficacy, Removal of Obstacles, and the Role of Faith/Discipline

Devanagari script

यादृच्छिकफलायन्ते सिद्धयो ऽप्यणिमादयः । बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिषु

Transliteration

yādṛcchikaphalāyante siddhayo 'pyaṇimādayaḥ | bahunātra kimuktena sarvakāmārthasiddhiṣu

Translation

Même les perfections yogiques, à commencer par aṇimā, ne surgissent que comme des fruits accessoires, presque fortuits. À quoi bon en dire davantage ? Pour l’accomplissement de tout but et de tout désir, seule la grâce et l’adoration de Śiva sont la réalisation certaine.

Word by Word

• yādṛcchika-phala-āyante: become (mere) chance-results
• yādṛcchika-phala-āyante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yādṛcchika (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + āya (नामधातु)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound base ‘yādṛcchika-phala’ = ‘chance fruit’; then denominative (नामधातु) with āya; Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Ātmanepada

• siddhayaḥ: powers/accomplishments
• siddhayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (निपात) = ‘even/also’

• aṇimā-ādayaḥ: (those) beginning with aṇimā
• aṇimā-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṇimā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘aṇimā-ādi’ = ‘beginning with aṇimā’; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• bahunā: with much (talk)
• bahunā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; idiom ‘bahunā’ = ‘by much (talk)’

• atra: here/in this matter
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb of place (देशवाचक)

• kim: what (use)?
• kim: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/idiom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Interrogative pronoun, Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; idiomatic ‘kim uक्तेन’ = ‘what is the use of saying’

• uktena: by saying/with words
• uktena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past passive participle (क्त) used as noun ‘what is said’; Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sarva-kāma-artha-siddhiṣu: in the accomplishments of all desired aims
• sarva-kāma-artha-siddhiṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + siddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa chain compound (तत्पुरुष) ‘all-desired-objects’ + ‘accomplishments’; Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it subordinates yogic siddhis (aṇimā etc.) as incidental byproducts, emphasizing grace-oriented fulfillment rather than power-seeking.

Significance: General: warns pilgrims/aspirants not to mistake siddhis for the goal; encourages single-pointed Śiva-upāsanā aimed at dharma, artha, kāma in right order, and ultimately mokṣa.

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that extraordinary yogic powers (aṇimā and the rest) are not the goal; they may appear as side-effects, while true fulfillment is rooted in turning toward Shiva as Pati—the liberating Lord—rather than chasing siddhis.

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

Linga/Saguna worship is presented as a direct means to Shiva’s grace: when devotion is centered on the Lord (rather than on power), all rightful aims are fulfilled and the seeker is not bound by fascination with siddhis.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady Shiva-upāsanā—japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with disciplined worship—treating any siddhi-like experiences as incidental and keeping the intention fixed on liberation and devotion.