Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 154

पञ्चावरणमार्गस्थं योगेश्वरस्तोत्रम्

Pañcāvaraṇa-mārga Stotra to Yogeśvara Śiva

Devanagari script

विनिवृत्ताधिकाराश्च महर्लोकनिवासिनः । सप्तर्षयस्तथान्ये वै वैमानिकगुणैस्सह

Transliteration

vinivṛttādhikārāśca maharlokanivāsinaḥ | saptarṣayastathānye vai vaimānikaguṇaissaha

Translation

മഹർലോകനിവാസികൾ—ലൗകിക അധികാര-കർമ്മങ്ങളിൽ നിന്ന് വിരമിച്ചവർ—സപ്തർഷികളും മറ്റു ചിലരും, വൈമാനികഗുണങ്ങളുള്ള ദിവ്യജനങ്ങളോടൊപ്പം (അവിടെ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു).

Word by Word

• विनिवृत्ताधिकाराः: those whose authority has ceased/retired
• विनिवृत्ताधिकाराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनिवृत्त + अधिकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय ('withdrawn' + 'from office/authority')

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• महर्लोकनिवासिनः: dwelling in Maharloka
• महर्लोकनिवासिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महर्लोक + निवासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (dwelling in Maharloka)

• सप्तर्षयः: the seven sages
• सप्तर्षयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त + ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास (numeral compound: 'seven sages')

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (likewise/also)

• अन्ये: others
• अन्ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/खल्वर्थक-अव्यय (indeed)

• वैमानिकगुणैः: with celestial qualities
• वैमानिकगुणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैमानिक + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष ('celestial' + 'qualities')

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahartha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: सहार्थक-अव्यय (with)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Saptarishi
• Maharloka

FAQs

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

It highlights a Shaiva-yogic ideal: higher beings in Maharloka are described as having renounced worldly ‘adhikāra’ (status and functions), indicating inner detachment and readiness for liberation under the lordship of Pati (Shiva).

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

Renunciation of egoic authority is a key inner offering in Linga-worship: as one worships Saguna Shiva through the Linga, the devotee gradually relinquishes doership and status, aligning the mind with Shiva as the true Lord (Pati).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is vairāgya with dhyāna: practice japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while cultivating non-attachment to roles and honors; this inner ‘withdrawal of adhikāra’ is the meditation implied by the verse.