Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 75

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

Devanagari script

शिवस्य मूर्तयः स्थूलाः शिवशास्त्रे विनिश्चिताः । घोरा मिश्रा प्रशान्ताश्च मूर्तयस्ता मुनीश्वरैः

Transliteration

śivasya mūrtayaḥ sthūlāḥ śivaśāstre viniścitāḥ | ghorā miśrā praśāntāśca mūrtayastā munīśvaraiḥ

Translation

Dans le Śiva-śāstra, les formes manifestes (grossières) de Śiva sont nettement établies. Les sages seigneurs ont déclaré que ces formes sont de trois sortes : terribles, mêlées et paisibles.

Word by Word

• śivasya: of Śiva
• śivasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• mūrtayaḥ: forms
• mūrtayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• sthūlāḥ: gross, tangible
• sthūlāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (adjective) of mūrtayaḥ

• śivaśāstre: in the Śiva-śāstra (Śaiva scripture)
• śivaśāstre: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva-śāstra (प्रातिपदिक: शिव + शास्त्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• viniścitāḥ: are determined/ascertained
• viniścitāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ni-√ci (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मणि-भाव (passive sense) agreeing with mūrtayaḥ

• ghorāḥ: terrible
• ghorāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण of mūrtayaḥ

• miśrāḥ: mixed
• miśrāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: miśra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण of mūrtayaḥ

• praśāntāḥ: peaceful, tranquil
• praśāntāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण of mūrtayaḥ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• mūrtayaḥ: forms
• mūrtayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; पुनरुक्त-उपस्थापन (resumptive repetition)

• tāḥ: those
• tāḥ: Anuvādya/Pratyāhāra (अनुवाद्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun) referring to mūrtayaḥ

• munīśvaraiḥ: by the lords among sages
• munīśvaraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक: मुनि + ईश्वर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It classifies Śiva’s manifest (saguṇa) embodiments into three temperaments—fierce, mixed, and tranquil—showing that the one Lord (Pati) guides bound souls (paśu) through different modes of grace suited to their karmic condition and spiritual maturity.

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

The verse affirms that saguṇa worship has scriptural order: devotees approach Śiva through accessible forms—whether awe-inspiring (ghora), balanced (miśra), or serene (praśānta). Linga-worship can be contemplated in these moods, progressing toward inner tranquility and steadiness in devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt a form and mood appropriate to your sādhana: for praśānta-bhāva, perform calm japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and steady breath; for ghorā/miśrā contemplation, maintain reverence and self-restraint, using mantra and disciplined worship to transform fear and passion into devotion.