Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42

आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship

Devanagari script

अनेकपुष्पवाटीभिरनेकैश्च सरोवरैः । दीर्घिकाभिरनेकाभिर्दिग्विदिक्षु विराजितम्

Transliteration

anekapuṣpavāṭībhiranekaiśca sarovaraiḥ | dīrghikābhiranekābhirdigvidikṣu virājitam

Translation

അത് അനേകം പുഷ്പവാടികളാലും അനേകം സരോവരങ്ങളാലും അനേകം ദീർഘികകളാലും അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട്, ദിക്കുകളിലും വിദിക്കുകളിലും ദീപ്തമായി വിരാജിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• अनेक-पुष्प-वाटीभिः: with many flower-gardens
• अनेक-पुष्प-वाटीभिः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनेक (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + वाटी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—अनेकानि पुष्पाणि यस्यां सा (पुष्पवाटी) ताभिः

• अनेकैः: many
• अनेकैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying सरोवरैः)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सरोवरैः: with lakes
• सरोवरैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरोवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• दीर्घिकाभिः: with ponds/tanks
• दीर्घिकाभिः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीर्घिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• अनेकाभिः: many
• अनेकाभिः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying दीर्घिकाभिः)

• दिग्-विदिक्षु: in the directions and intermediate directions
• दिग्-विदिक्षु: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक) + विदिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः—दिक्षु च विदिक्षु च

• विराजितम्: adorned/shining
• विराजितम्: विशेष्य-विशेषण (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विराजित (कृदन्त; √राज् धातु, वि-उपसर्ग)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the abundance of puṣpavāṭīs and sarovaras resembles kṣetra-lakṣaṇa (marks of a holy place) where water-bodies and gardens support purity, festival bathing, and offerings.

Significance: Water-tanks and flower-gardens are classic supports for tīrtha-sevā: snāna, puṣpārcana, and cooling/rest for pilgrims—symbolizing inner purification and blossoming bhakti.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Gaurī

Role: creative

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

FAQs

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

The verse portrays a sanctified, harmonious realm—rich with water and blossoming life—suggesting a purified field for devotion where the mind becomes calm and fit for Shiva-contemplation (Pati) and release from bonds (pāśa).

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

Such descriptions commonly frame the sacred setting around Saguna Shiva worship—temple, tīrtha, or divine abode—where devotees approach the Linga with reverence, using the ordered beauty of the place to steady attention and deepen bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is tīrtha-sevā and japa in a pure environment: bathe or perform ācamana at a sacred waterbody, apply tripuṇḍra (bhasma), and repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a composed mind.