Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

सर्गः संकल्पमात्रेण त्राणं संहरणं तथा । स्वाधिकारश्च सर्वेषां भूतचित्तप्रवर्तनम्

Transliteration

sargaḥ saṃkalpamātreṇa trāṇaṃ saṃharaṇaṃ tathā | svādhikāraśca sarveṣāṃ bhūtacittapravartanam

Translation

創造は、ただ御意（みこころ）一つによって起こり、同じく護持と収滅もまた然り。さらに主は一切衆生の内なる権威として、その本性に応じて生きものの心を動かし給う—かくして主宰者パティ（Pati）が、顕現・維持・回収の背後にある至高の原因であることが示される。

Word by Word

• sargaḥ: creation, emanation
• sargaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• saṃkalpa-mātreṇa: by mere resolve
• saṃkalpa-mātreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃkalpa (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'by mere intention'

• trāṇam: protection
• trāṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• saṃharaṇam: withdrawal, dissolution
• saṃharaṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• tathā: likewise, also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• svādhikāraḥ: one’s own authority
• svādhikāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + adhikāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'one’s own authority/right'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• bhūta-citta-pravartanam: activation of beings’ minds
• bhūta-citta-pravartanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + citta (प्रातिपदिक) + pravartana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa (multi-member): 'the setting-in-motion of the minds of beings'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadashiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: kalpa-level cosmic governance implied (creation–protection–withdrawal by mere saṃkalpa)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It proclaims Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord—whose mere sankalpa (divine will) brings forth creation, sustains it, and withdraws it, while also directing the inner movements of the individual mind; recognizing this leads to surrender and liberation-oriented living.

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

The Linga signifies Shiva as the unseen causal reality behind all functions—sarga, trāṇa, and saṁhāra. Worship of Saguna Shiva through the Linga trains the devotee to perceive the same Lord as the inner governor of consciousness (bhūtacitta-pravartaka).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as the indwelling ruler of the mind while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering water and bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) to the Linga as a reminder that all inner impulses are to be aligned with His will.