Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 72

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

Devanagari script

इन्दुरेखासमाकारं तारारूपमथापि वा । नीवारशूकस्सदृशं बिससुत्राभमेव वा

Transliteration

indurekhāsamākāraṃ tārārūpamathāpi vā | nīvāraśūkassadṛśaṃ bisasutrābhameva vā

Translation

Cela peut apparaître comme un trait de lune en croissant, ou même comme une étoile ; cela peut ressembler à l’arête du riz sauvage, ou encore à un filament de fibre de lotus.

Word by Word

• इन्दुरेखासमाकारम्: having a shape like the moon’s crescent-line
• इन्दुरेखासमाकारम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इन्दु-रेखा-समाकार (प्रातिपदिक; इन्दु + रेखा + समाकार)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("इन्दोः रेखा" + "समाकार" = having similar shape)

• तारारूपम्: star-shaped
• तारारूपम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तारा-रूप (प्रातिपदिक; तारा + रूप)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("तारायाः रूपम्")

• अथ: then/also
• अथ: Discourse marker (सम्बोधन/अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/विकल्पार्थ (then/now)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Emphasis (बल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अपि-बलार्थ (also/even)

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थ (or)

• नीवारशूकः: a wild-rice awn
• नीवारशूकः: Upamana-nirdesha (उपमाननिर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नीवार-शूक (प्रातिपदिक; नीवार + शूक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष ("नीवारस्य शूकः")

• सदृशम्: similar
• सदृशम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; उपमानार्थ (similar to)

• बिससुत्राभम्: resembling a lotus-fibre thread
• बिससुत्राभम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बिस-सूत्र-आभ (प्रातिपदिक; बिस + सूत्र + आभ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष ("बिसस्य सूत्रम्" + "आभ" = resembling)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (indeed/just)

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थ (or)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that the sacred reality of Shiva can be perceived in subtle, refined ways—small, luminous, and inwardly intuited—guiding the seeker from gross perception toward contemplative recognition of Pati (Shiva) beyond limiting appearances.

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

By describing delicate, auspicious shapes (crescent, star, fine fibre), it supports linga-upasana as a focused symbol: Saguna contemplation that steadies the mind and leads toward grasping Shiva’s subtler, transcendent nature.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests dhyana—holding a subtle, luminous Shiva-form in awareness. In practice, this pairs well with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady inner visualization during linga worship.