Shloka 29

Vāmadeva-mata: Rahasya-upadeśa

The Esoteric Teaching of Vāmadeva’s Doctrine

Devanagari script

षडक्षरशरीराय षड्विधार्थविधायिने । षडध्वातीतरूपाय षण्मुखाय नमोनमः

Transliteration

ṣaḍakṣaraśarīrāya ṣaḍvidhārthavidhāyine | ṣaḍadhvātītarūpāya ṣaṇmukhāya namonamaḥ

Translation

重ねて礼拝す。御身そのものが六字の真言なる主に、聖教の六種の義を定め給う御方に、顕現の六道（ṣaḍ-adhvan）を超えた真性を具えし御方に、そして六面尊（シャンムカ）に、礼拝し奉る。

Word by Word

• षडक्षरशरीराय: to the one whose body is the six-syllabled (mantra)
• षडक्षरशरीराय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षड् + अक्षर + शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षडक्षरं शरीरं यस्य (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/निर्धारणार्थ)

• षड्विधार्थविधायिने: to the ordainer of the sixfold meanings/purposes
• षड्विधार्थविधायिने: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षड् + विध + अर्थ + विधायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षड्विधाः अर्थाः येषां तेषां विधायिन् (कर्ता-नाम)

• षडध्वातीतरूपाय: to the one whose form transcends the six paths (ṣaḍadhvan)
• षडध्वातीतरूपाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षड् + अध्वन् + अतीत + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षडध्वान् अतीतं रूपं यस्य

• षण्मुखाय: to the six-faced one
• षण्मुखाय: सम्प्रदान (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षड् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षण् मुखानि यस्य (द्विगु-समास)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: सम्बोधन/उक्तिविशेष (Vocative-function/उक्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/उपपद), नमस्कारार्थे

• नमः: salutation (again)
• नमः: सम्बोधन/उक्तिविशेष (Vocative-function/उक्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात), पुनरुक्ति-बलार्थे

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasha teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: By identifying the deity with mantra (ṣaḍakṣara) and as transcending ṣaḍ-adhvan, the verse points to liberation through Śiva-mantra and Śiva-jñāna—core Siddhānta soteriology.

Mantra Metadata

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Transcendence of ṣaḍ-adhvan (mantra, pada, varṇa, kalā, tattva, bhuvana) implies standing beyond manifested cosmos.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Kartikeya

FAQs

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

It presents Shiva as Mantra itself (mantra-śarīra) and as the transcendent Pati who stands beyond the structured paths of manifestation, indicating that liberation arises through mantra, right meaning, and grace that surpasses all limiting categories.

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

In Saguna worship—especially Linga worship—the devotee approaches Shiva through form and mantra; this verse teaches that the mantra and the deity invoked are non-different, and that worship culminates in realizing Shiva as beyond all adhvans while still accessible through sacred form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice steady japa of the six-syllable Shiva mantra with contemplation of its purport, then meditate on Shiva as transcending the six adhvans—letting the mind move from form-based devotion to inward absorption (dhyāna) and surrender (śaraṇāgati).