Shloka 1

व्यासशौनकादिसंवादः | Vyāsa–Śaunaka and the Sages: Opening Dialogue of the Kailāsa-saṃhitā

Devanagari script

नमः शिवाय साम्बाय सगणाय ससूनवे । प्रधानपुरुषेशाय सर्गस्थितत्यन्तहेतवे

Transliteration

namaḥ śivāya sāmbāya sagaṇāya sasūnave | pradhānapuruṣeśāya sargasthitatyantahetave

Translation

ナマス、シヴァに——アンバー（神なる母）と結ばれたサーンバに、ガナたちに随侍され、御子を伴う御方に。原質（プラダーナ）と霊覚（プルシャ）の主、創造・維持・融解の究竟因なる御方に礼拝する。

Word by Word

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; salutation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः; नमः इति निपातवत् (salutatory particle; traditionally treated as indeclinable in usage)

• शिवाय: to Śiva
• शिवाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• साम्बाय: to the one with Umā (Sāmba)
• साम्बाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम्ब (प्रातिपदिक; स + अम्बा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (अम्बया सह वर्तते इति)

• सगणाय: to the one with (his) gaṇas
• सगणाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सगण (प्रातिपदिक; स + गण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (गणैः सह)

• ससूनवे: to the one with (his) son
• ससूनवे: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ससूनु (प्रातिपदिक; स + सूनु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (सूनुना सह)

• प्रधानपुरुषेशाय: to the Lord of Pradhāna and Puruṣa
• प्रधानपुरुषेशाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रधान + पुरुष + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रधानस्य च पुरुषस्य च ईशः)

• सर्गस्थितत्यन्तहेतवे: to the cause of creation, sustenance, and dissolution
• सर्गस्थितत्यन्तहेतवे: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्ग + स्थिति + अत्यन्त + हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्ग-स्थिति-अत्यन्तस्य हेतुः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Maṅgalācaraṇa establishes Śiva as supreme causal Lord (Pati) over pradhāna and puruṣa; sets doctrinal tone for approaching Kailāsa as the archetypal seat of grace and revelation.

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: नमः शिवाय

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: creative

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Triadic cosmogenesis implied: sarga-sthiti-atyanta (laya) under Śiva as ultimate hetu.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati
• Ganesha
• Ganas

FAQs

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

This opening salutation establishes Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord—who, together with Śakti (Ambā), governs the cosmos and grants liberation; it frames devotion (bhakti) to Śiva as the doorway to understanding creation, bondage, and release.

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

By praising Śiva “with Ambā” and “with His gaṇas and son,” the verse highlights Saguna (personal) Śiva—approachable through worship such as liṅga-pūjā—while also affirming His transcendence as Lord over Pradhāna and Puruṣa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use this verse as a dhyāna-invocation before liṅga worship, repeating the Panchākṣarī “Namaḥ Śivāya” with focused remembrance of Śiva united with Śakti; it supports mantra-japa and devotional contemplation.