Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

काम्यकर्मविभागः — Taxonomy of Kāmya (Desire-Motivated) Śaiva Rites

Devanagari script

परीक्ष्य भूमिं विधिवद्गंधवर्णरसादिभिः । मनोभिलषिते तत्र वितानविततांबरे

Transliteration

parīkṣya bhūmiṃ vidhivadgaṃdhavarṇarasādibhiḥ | manobhilaṣite tatra vitānavitatāṃbare

Translation

香り・色・味などによって地を法にかなってよく検分し、心にかなう場所において、天蓋（ヴィターナ）を張り、儀礼のために上方へ広く覆いを設けるべきである。

Word by Word

• parīkṣya: having examined
• parīkṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; धातु: √ईक्ष् (to see/examine) उपसर्ग: परि-; ‘having examined’

• bhūmim: the ground/earth
• bhūmim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• vidhi-vat: according to the prescribed method
• vidhi-vat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhi + vat (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner): ‘according to rule’

• gandha-varṇa-rasa-ādibhiḥ: by smell, color, taste, etc.
• gandha-varṇa-rasa-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha + varṇa + rasa + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective dvandva) with ādi; पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-प्राय, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘by smell, color, taste, etc.’

• manaḥ-abhilaṣite: in the mind-pleasing (place)
• manaḥ-abhilaṣite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manaḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + abhilaṣita (कृदन्त, √laṣ/√laṣa with abhi-)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive tatpurusha): ‘desired by the mind’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (agreeing with implied ‘sthāne/āyatanе’ or with next locatives)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb): ‘there’

• vitāna-vitata-ambare: in (a place) with a canopy-spread covering
• vitāna-vitata-ambare: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vitāna (प्रातिपदिक) + vitata (कृदन्त, √tan) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्राय (descriptive determinative): ‘(place) whose ambara/covering is spread as a canopy’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that outer purity and right preparation support inner steadiness: choosing a wholesome, pleasing place helps the mind become fit for Shiva-oriented worship and contemplation of Pati (Shiva) beyond pasha (bondage).

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

Linga-puja in the Shiva Purana emphasizes proper adhivasa and mandapa preparation; examining the ground and arranging a canopy indicates creating a consecrated space where Saguna worship can lead the devotee toward realization of Shiva’s higher, transcendent nature.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prepare a clean, auspicious worship site by assessing the ground’s qualities and setting up a covered mandapa; then proceed with Shiva-puja (often accompanied by japa of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” as appropriate to the broader rite).