Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30

आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship

Devanagari script

समंताद्रत्नसञ्छन्नं स्रग्वैरैश्चापि भूषितम् । गम्भीरनिनदः शंखो हंसकुंदेन्दुसन्निभः

Transliteration

samaṃtādratnasañchannaṃ sragvairaiścāpi bhūṣitam | gambhīraninadaḥ śaṃkho haṃsakuṃdendusannibhaḥ

Translation

ആ ശംഖം ചുറ്റുമെല്ലാം രത്നങ്ങളാൽ മൂടപ്പെട്ടതും മാലകളാൽ അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടതുമായിരുന്നു. അതിന്റെ നാദം ഗംഭീരമായിരുന്നു; ഹംസം, കുന്ദപുഷ്പം, ചന്ദ്രൻ എന്നിവപോലെ ശ്വേതപ്രഭയോടെ അത് തിളങ്ങി.

Word by Word

• समन्तात्: on all sides
• समन्तात्: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देश/परितः-अर्थ (adverb: on all sides)

• रत्न: jewels
• रत्न: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (jewel)

• सञ्छन्नम्: covered/strewn
• सञ्छन्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + छद् (धातु) → सञ्छन्न (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (रत्नैः सञ्छन्नम्)

• स्रक्: garlands
• स्रक्: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज्/स्रक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, समासपूर्वपद (garland)

• वैरैः: with strings/rows (lit. 'wreath-strings'); with garland-arrangements
• वैरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (also masc in usage), तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन (instrumental plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (and)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, 'also'

• भूषितम्: adorned
• भूषितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूष् (धातु) → भूषित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (adorned)

• गम्भीर: deep
• गम्भीर: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम्भीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (deep/solemn)

• निनदः: sound/roar
• निनदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निनद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गम्भीरः निनदः यस्य)

• शङ्खः: conch
• शङ्खः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हंस: swan
• हंस: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (swan)

• कुन्द: jasmine
• कुन्द: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (jasmine)

• इन्दु: moon
• इन्दु: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्दु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (moon)

• सन्निभः: resembling
• सन्निभः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुषः (हंसकुन्देन्दुभ्यः सन्निभः = resembling)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It highlights auspiciousness through purity (moon-jasmine whiteness) and sacred resonance (deep sound), suggesting that devotion to Pati (Shiva) is supported by inner and outer sanctity—sound, beauty, and sattvic clarity oriented toward worship.

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

The verse describes a sacred attribute used in ritual atmosphere—adornment and resonant sound that accompany Saguna worship. In Linga-puja, such auspicious elements frame the devotee’s attention, helping the mind rest steadily on Shiva as Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Use of sacred sound and purity: begin puja with auspicious resonance (such as conch/blessing sounds where customary), then stabilize awareness with mantra-japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—keeping the mind as clear and steady as the verse’s imagery of whiteness.