Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 71

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

Devanagari script

अंगुष्ठमात्रममलं दीप्यमानं समंततः । शुद्धदीपशिखाकारं स्वशक्त्या पूर्णमण्डितम्

Transliteration

aṃguṣṭhamātramamalaṃ dīpyamānaṃ samaṃtataḥ | śuddhadīpaśikhākāraṃ svaśaktyā pūrṇamaṇḍitam

Translation

Il est sans tache et de la taille d’un pouce, rayonnant de toutes parts—ayant la forme de la flamme pure d’une lampe, et pleinement paré de sa propre Puissance innée (Śakti).

Word by Word

• aṃguṣṭha-mātram: of thumb-size
• aṃguṣṭha-mātram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṃguṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: aṃguṣṭhasya mātram (thumb’s measure)

• amalam: spotless/pure
• amalam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying the described form

• dīpyamānam: shining
• dīpyamānam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīp (धातु)
• Form: Vartamāna-kṛdanta (वर्तमान कृदन्त), Śatṛ/Śānac participle (शानच्), Neuter, Nominative, Singular; Ātmanepada sense

• samantataḥ: on all sides
• samantataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/extent)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (परितोऽर्थक अव्यय)

• śuddha-dīpa-śikhā-ākāram: having the form of a pure lamp-flame
• śuddha-dīpa-śikhā-ākāram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + dīpa (प्रातिपदिक) + śikhā (प्रातिपदिक) + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; determinative: śuddhasya dīpasya śikhāyāḥ ākāraḥ (form like the flame of a pure lamp)

• sva-śaktyā: by its own power
• sva-śaktyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: svā śaktiḥ (one’s own power)

• pūrṇa-maṇḍitam: fully adorned
• pūrṇa-maṇḍitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; karmadhāraya: pūrṇaṃ ca tat maṇḍitam (fully adorned)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti

FAQs

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

The verse points to the inward, stainless divine presence—Śiva realized as pure consciousness—experienced as a concentrated, radiant light, inseparable from His own Śakti, guiding the seeker toward liberation.

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

While external Linga worship supports devotion and purification, this verse highlights the inner realization of Śiva as luminous presence; Saguna worship matures into direct inner contemplation where Śiva is known as self-effulgent light.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests dhyāna on a steady inner flame-like radiance in the heart, supported by Shaiva practice such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined purity to stabilize awareness.