Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31

योगप्रकारनिर्णयः

Classification and Definition of Yoga

Devanagari script

अंगुलीस्फोटनं कुर्यात्सा मात्रेति प्रकीर्तिता । मात्राक्रमेण विज्ञेयाश्चोद्वातक्रमयोगतः

Transliteration

aṃgulīsphoṭanaṃ kuryātsā mātreti prakīrtitā | mātrākrameṇa vijñeyāścodvātakramayogataḥ

Translation

വിരലുകൾ സ്ഫോടിപ്പിക്കുക (സ്നാപ്പ്) ചെയ്യണം; അതാണ് ‘മാത്ര’ (കാലഘടകം) എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധം. നിയന്ത്രിത പ്രാണചലനരീതിയായ (ചോദ്വാത-ക്രമ) പ്രകാരം മാത്രകളുടെ ക്രമം യഥാക്രമം അറിയണം.

Word by Word

• aṃgulī-sphoṭanam: finger-snapping
• aṃgulī-sphoṭanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṃgulī (प्रातिपदिक) + sphoṭana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: aṃgulyāḥ sphoṭanam (snapping of fingers)

• kuryāt: should do
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• sā: that (it)
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• mātrā: a mātrā (unit)
• mātrā: Pratijñā/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-निपात)

• prakīrtitā: is declared
• prakīrtitā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + kīrt (धातु)
• Form: Kta participle (क्त/भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त), Feminine, Nominative, Singular; passive sense

• mātrā-krameṇa: by the sequence of mātrās
• mātrā-krameṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātrā (प्रातिपदिक) + krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: mātrāṇāṃ kramaḥ (sequence of mātrās)

• vijñeyāḥ: should be understood
• vijñeyāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + jñā (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive/ya-tavya (णीय/भाव्य) sense, Feminine, Nominative, Plural; ‘to be known’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• udvāta-krama-yogataḥ: according to the order of exhalation
• udvāta-krama-yogataḥ: Hetu/Upapatti (हेतु/निमित्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: udvāta (प्रातिपदिक) + krama (प्रातिपदिक) + yogataḥ (अव्यय/तसिल्)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: udvātakramasya yogataḥ (by/according to the connection with the order of exhalation); yogataḥ = ablatival adverb (तसिलन्त अव्यय)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines a practical time-measure (mātrā) for disciplined sādhana, showing that Shaiva practice values precise rhythm and steadiness—supporting inner concentration so the bound soul (paśu) becomes fit for Shiva’s grace (pati-anugraha).

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

In Saguna Shiva worship—especially japa and dhyāna before the Liṅga—measured timing and regulated breath help maintain one-pointed devotion and correct mantra cadence, turning external pūjā into inward worship aligned with Shiva-consciousness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A timing method for japa/prāṇāyāma: use finger-snaps as mātrā units and follow an ordered breath sequence (udvāta-krama) to keep inhalation/exhalation and mantra recitation steady and consistent.