Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 73

अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace

Devanagari script

त्रिमलास्त्वधमा ज्ञेया यथोत्तरमधिष्ठिताः । त्रिमलानधितिष्ठंति द्विमलैकमलाः क्रमात्

Transliteration

trimalāstvadhamā jñeyā yathottaramadhiṣṭhitāḥ | trimalānadhitiṣṭhaṃti dvimalaikamalāḥ kramāt

Translation

ത്രിമലങ്ങളാൽ ബന്ധിതരായ ജീവന്മാർ അധമരെന്നു അറിയണം; മലയാധീനത യഥോത്തരമായി വർധിക്കുന്നു. ക്രമമായി ദ്വിമലരും ഏകമലരും ത്രിമലാവസ്ഥയ്ക്ക് അധീനരാകാതെ അതിനെ അതിക്രമിച്ച് ഉയരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• त्रि-मलाः: three-impure (ones)
• त्रि-मलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (having three impurities)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• अधमाः: lowest
• अधमाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (lowest)

• ज्ञेयाः: are to be known
• ज्ञेयाः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/अनीयर्-अर्थे य-प्रत्ययान्त (Gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेय (to be known)

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/उपमानवाचक-अव्यय (as/according to)

• उत्तरम्: successively higher
• उत्तरम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् (successively/higher and higher)

• अधिष्ठिताः: presided over/occupied
• अधिष्ठिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधि√स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (presided over/occupied)

• त्रि-मलान्: the three-impure (ones)
• त्रि-मलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• अधितिष्ठन्ति: preside over/stand over
• अधितिष्ठन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि√स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• द्वि-मल-एक-मलाः: the two-impure and one-impure (ones)
• द्वि-मल-एक-मलाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि + मल + एक + मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (the two-impure and the one-impure)

• क्रमात्: in order
• क्रमात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् (in order)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents a Shaiva Siddhanta-style hierarchy of souls (paśu) based on how strongly they are bound by impurities (mala). The more completely the three malas dominate, the farther one is from recognizing Shiva (Pati) and attaining liberation.

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

Worship of the Linga as Saguna Shiva is a practical means for the bound soul to receive Shiva’s grace and purification. As malas lessen through devotion, discipline, and grace, the soul becomes fit for deeper realization beyond bondage.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra), and Rudrāksha-dhāraṇa are traditional Shaiva supports for purification, alongside inner yoga and ethical restraint—culminating in Shiva’s anugraha (grace).