Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

इच्छाविघातजं मोक्षं दौर्मनस्यं प्रचक्षते । विषयेषु विचित्रेषु विभ्रमस्तत्र लोलता

Transliteration

icchāvighātajaṃ mokṣaṃ daurmanasyaṃ pracakṣate | viṣayeṣu vicitreṣu vibhramastatra lolatā

Translation

Ils décrivent comme une « libération née de la frustration du désir » un état qui n’est en vérité que l’abattement du mental ; car, au milieu des objets des sens si divers, la confusion surgit, et là l’esprit devient agité et changeant.

Word by Word

• icchā-vighāta-jam: born of obstruction of desire
• icchā-vighāta-jam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: icchā + vighāta + ja (प्रातिपदिक; ja='born from')
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter Nom/Acc sg)

• mokṣam: release; (here) relief
• mokṣam: Karma (कर्म; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (masc Acc sg)

• daurmanasyam: dejection, depression
• daurmanasyam: Karma (कर्म; object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daurmanasya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (neuter Acc sg)

• pracakṣate: they call/describe
• pracakṣate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-cakṣ (चक्ष् धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद (present indicative, 3rd pl)

• viṣayeṣu: in objects (of sense)
• viṣayeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण; locus)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन (masc Loc pl)

• vicitreṣu: varied, diverse
• vicitreṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (masc Loc pl; agreeing with viṣayeṣu)

• vibhramaḥ: confusion, delusion
• vibhramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (masc Nom sg)

• tatra: there, in that context
• tatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (locative adverb)

• lolatā: restlessness, fickleness
• lolatā: Karta (कर्ता; co-subject/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lolatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (fem Nom sg)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya philosophical teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It distinguishes true moksha—steady clarity rooted in Shiva-realization—from mere disappointment when desires fail. Frustrated desire can look like renunciation, but if it produces gloom and mental agitation, it is still bondage (pāśa), not liberation.

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

Linga/Saguna Shiva worship trains the mind away from scattering among ‘variegated objects’ and toward one-pointed devotion (bhakti) and inner steadiness. The verse warns that without such centering, one’s ‘renunciation’ may just be confused withdrawal rather than devotional detachment.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate steadiness through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and dhyāna on Shiva, supported by Shaiva disciplines like vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa—so detachment becomes luminous vairāgya, not despair.