Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1

अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas

Devanagari script

उपमन्युरुवाच । आलस्यं व्याधयस्तीव्राः प्रमादः स्थानसंशयः । अनवस्थितचित्तत्वमश्रद्धा भ्रांतिदर्शनम्

Transliteration

upamanyuruvāca | ālasyaṃ vyādhayastīvrāḥ pramādaḥ sthānasaṃśayaḥ | anavasthitacittatvamaśraddhā bhrāṃtidarśanam

Translation

Upamanyu dit : la paresse, les maladies aiguës, l’insouciance, le doute quant au lieu (et à la méthode) justes, l’instabilité du mental, le manque de foi et la vision égarée—tels sont les obstacles qui entravent l’aspirant sur la voie du culte et du yoga de Śiva.

Word by Word

• upamanyuḥ: Upamanyu
• upamanyuḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upamanyu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• ālasyaṃ: laziness
• ālasyaṃ: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ālasya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• vyādhayaḥ: diseases
• vyādhayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyādhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• tīvrāḥ: severe
• tīvrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tīvra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘vyādhayaḥ’)

• pramādaḥ: carelessness/heedlessness
• pramādaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• sthāna-saṃśayaḥ: doubt about one’s place/position
• sthāna-saṃśayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthāna (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘स्थानस्य संशयः’ (doubt about place/position); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• an-avasthita-citta-tvam: unsteadiness of mind
• an-avasthita-citta-tvam: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: an (नञ्) + avasthita (कृदन्त; ava√sthā (धातु) + क्त) + citta (प्रातिपदिक) + tva (तद्धित/भावप्रत्यय)
• Form: समास-समूह (मुख्यतः तत्पुरुष): ‘अवस्थितं न (अनवस्थितं) चित्तं’ + ‘त्व’ (abstract noun); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• aśraddhā: lack of faith
• aśraddhā: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-śraddhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-पूर्वक (lack of faith)

• bhrānti-darśanam: delusive perception
• bhrānti-darśanam: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrānti (प्रातिपदिक) + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘भ्रान्तेः दर्शनम्’ (seeing/vision of delusion); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Upamanyu

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Upamanyu

FAQs

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

It lists key inner and outer obstacles—sloth, illness, negligence, doubt, mental restlessness, lack of faith, and delusion—that function as bonds (pāśa) preventing the soul (paśu) from steadfast devotion and yogic absorption in Pati, Lord Śiva.

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

Linga-worship requires steadiness, faith, and correct observance; the verse warns that doubt about place/method, negligence, and deluded perception weaken disciplined pūjā and prevent the mind from resting in Saguna Śiva as a support leading toward higher realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to cultivate śraddhā and mental steadiness through regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), disciplined daily worship, and mindful avoidance of pramāda; supportive observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa may be adopted to reinforce focus and devotion.