Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12

समयाह्वय-संस्कारः — Rite of ‘Samayāhvaya’ and the Preparatory Layout

Maṇḍapa, Vedi, Kuṇḍas, Maṇḍala, Śiva-kumbha

Devanagari script

सितसूत्रावृतं कंठे नववस्त्रयुगावृतम् । शुद्धाम्बुपूर्णमुत्कूर्चं सद्रव्यं सपिधानकम्

Transliteration

sitasūtrāvṛtaṃ kaṃṭhe navavastrayugāvṛtam | śuddhāmbupūrṇamutkūrcaṃ sadravyaṃ sapidhānakam

Translation

കണ്ഠത്തിൽ വെളുത്ത നൂൽ കെട്ടി, രണ്ട് പുതിയ വസ്ത്രങ്ങളാൽ പൊതിഞ്ഞ്; ശുദ്ധജലത്തോടെ നിറഞ്ഞതും, മുകളിൽ കൂർച്ചയോടുകൂടിയതും, യോജ്യദ്രവ്യങ്ങളോടും മൂടിയോടും കൂടിയതുമായിരിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• सित-सूत्र-आवृतम्: wrapped with a white thread
• सित-सूत्र-आवृतम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित (प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आवृत (कृदन्त; √वृ (धातु) उपसर्ग आ-)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; कृदन्त-विशेषण: आवृत (PPP/क्त) = ‘covered/wrapped’; समासः तत्पुरुषः (सितसूत्रेण आवृतम्)

• कण्ठे: at/on the neck (of the pot)
• कण्ठे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन (Singular), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• नव-वस्त्र-युग-आवृतम्: covered with a pair of new cloths
• नव-वस्त्र-युग-आवृतम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (प्रातिपदिक) + वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + युग (प्रातिपदिक) + आवृत (कृदन्त; √वृ (धातु) उपसर्ग आ-)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; कृदन्त-विशेषण: आवृत (PPP/क्त); समासः तत्पुरुषः (नववस्त्रयुगेन आवृतम्)

• शुद्ध-अम्बु-पूर्णम्: filled with pure water
• शुद्ध-अम्बु-पूर्णम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + पूर्ण (कृदन्त/विशेषण; √पॄ (धातु) → पूर्ण)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासः तत्पुरुषः (शुद्धेन अम्बुना पूर्णम्)

• उत्कूर्चम्: with an ‘utkūrca’ arrangement (raised tuft/kuśa-bunch)
• उत्कूर्चम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्कूर्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण (ritual term: with raised tuft/with kuśa-bunch arrangement)

• स-द्रव्यम्: with the requisite substances
• स-द्रव्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + स (उपसर्गवत्/अव्ययपूर्वक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासः अव्ययपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषः (द्रव्येण सह = ‘with materials/substances’)

• स-पिधानकम्: with a lid/cover
• स-पिधानकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पिधानक (प्रातिपदिक) + स (अव्ययपूर्वक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समासः अव्ययपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषः (पिधानकेन सह = ‘with a lid/cover’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (purity) and careful preparation of offerings—outer orderliness and cleanliness are presented as supports for inner devotion to Shiva (Pati) and steadiness of mind in worship.

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

The verse describes the proper preparation of a worship vessel used in Shiva-puja; such correct, respectful arrangement of materials is part of Saguna Shiva worship where the devotee serves the Linga with pure water and auspicious substances.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prepare a clean, covered water vessel (kalasha/puja container) with pure water and auspicious contents, keeping it wrapped and protected—then perform Shiva-abhisheka or offering while maintaining mantra-focused attention (e.g., japa of the Panchakshara).