Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 55

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

Devanagari script

अभिवंद्य स्वगुर्वंतानभिवाद्याननुक्रमात् । ऋजुग्रीवशिरोवक्षा नातिष्ठेच्छिष्टलोचनः

Transliteration

abhivaṃdya svagurvaṃtānabhivādyānanukramāt | ṛjugrīvaśirovakṣā nātiṣṭhecchiṣṭalocanaḥ

Translation

Après s’être incliné avec respect devant ses propres gurus, puis avoir salué, selon l’ordre dû, les autres vénérables aînés, qu’il se tienne le cou, la tête et la poitrine bien droits, le regard maîtrisé et humble.

Word by Word

• abhivaṃdya: having saluted
• abhivaṃdya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhivand (धातु) + -ya (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त), from √vand (वन्द्) with prefix abhi-, ‘having saluted’

• sva-gurūn: one’s own teachers
• sva-gurūn: Karma (कर्म; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; तत्पुरुष ‘one’s own + teachers’

• abhivādya: having paid respects
• abhivādya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhivād (धातु) + -ya (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त), from √vad (वद्) in sense ‘to greet/salute’ with prefix abhi-, ‘having paid respects’

• anu-kramāt: in proper order
• anu-kramāt: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anu (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; indeclinable adverbial expression; Ablative-form used adverbially: ‘in due order/according to sequence’

• ṛju-grīva-śiraḥ-vakṣāḥ: with straight neck, head, and chest
• ṛju-grīva-śiraḥ-vakṣāḥ: Karta (कर्ता; subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛju (प्रातिपदिक) + grīvā (प्रातिपदिक) + śiras (प्रातिपदिक) + vakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुव्रीहि ‘whose neck, head, and chest are straight/upright’

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध; negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (न)
• Form: Particle of negation (निषेध)

• atiṣṭhet: should stand
• atiṣṭhet: Kriyā (क्रिया; main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; from √sthā (स्था) ‘should stand/remain’

• chiṣṭa-locanaḥ: with lowered/controlled gaze
• chiṣṭa-locanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; subject—qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: chiṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुव्रीहि ‘whose eyes are (slightly) lowered/controlled (chiṣṭa)’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva discipline and conduct as taught in the Vāyavīya tradition)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

FAQs

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

It teaches Shaiva ācāra: humility toward the guru and elders, and inner restraint expressed through a steady, upright posture and disciplined gaze—preparing the seeker for mantra, worship, and meditative absorption in Pati (Shiva).

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

Linga-worship is not only offering substances but also offering one’s ego and restlessness. Saluting the guru-lineage and standing with composure reflects reverence (bhakti) and purity of conduct, which the Shiva Purana treats as integral to Saguna Shiva upāsanā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Before japa or pūjā, perform guru-vandana, then stand or sit with an aligned spine and steady chest, keeping the eyes calm and modest—supporting focused recitation (such as the Panchakshara) and a sattvic mind.