Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

पार्ष्णिभ्यां वृषणौ रक्षंस्तथा प्रजननं पुनः । ऊर्वोरुपरि संस्थाप्य बाहू तिर्यगयत्नतः

Transliteration

pārṣṇibhyāṃ vṛṣaṇau rakṣaṃstathā prajananaṃ punaḥ | ūrvorupari saṃsthāpya bāhū tiryagayatnataḥ

Translation

「両の踵にて睾丸と生殖器を護り、次いで前腕を無理なく交差させて両腿の上に置き、身を揺るぎなく安定させよ—これにより、内へと沈潜し、シヴァに向かう瞑想の備えが整う。」

Word by Word

• पार्ष्णिभ्याम्: with the two heels
• पार्ष्णिभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्ष्णि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), द्विवचन

• वृषणौ: the two testicles
• वृषणौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), द्विवचन

• रक्षन्: protecting
• रक्षन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle), परस्मैपदी; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणभावे (while protecting)

• तथा: thus; likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• प्रजननम्: the generative organ
• प्रजननम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• पुनः: again; further
• पुनः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• ऊर्वोः: of the two thighs
• ऊर्वोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), द्विवचन

• उपरि: upon; on top of
• उपरि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (preposition/adverb)

• संस्थाप्य: having placed
• संस्थाप्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + स्थाप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund)

• बाहू: the two arms
• बाहू: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), द्विवचन

• तिर्यक्: sideways; crosswise
• तिर्यक्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तिर्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• अयत्नतः: without effort; effortlessly
• अयत्नतः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अयत्नतः (अव्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverbial ablative); manner-adverb

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes bodily steadiness and restraint of the generative impulse as a support for dhyāna—so the mind can turn from pāśa (bondage) toward Pati (Śiva), the liberating Lord.

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

By establishing a stable yogic seat, the practitioner becomes fit for inner worship (mānasa-pūjā) of Saguna Śiva—often contemplated as the Linga—so attention can remain unwavering in devotion and concentration.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A seated meditation posture instruction: secure the lower body (heels guarding the genital region) and rest the forearms crosswise on the thighs without strain—preparatory to mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) and Śiva-dhyāna.