Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20

अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas

Devanagari script

जले निवसनं चैव भूम्यामेवं विनिर्गमः । इच्छेच्छक्तः स्वयं पातुं समुद्रमपि नातुरः

Transliteration

jale nivasanaṃ caiva bhūmyāmevaṃ vinirgamaḥ | icchecchaktaḥ svayaṃ pātuṃ samudramapi nāturaḥ

Translation

അവൻ ജലത്തിനുള്ളിലും വസിക്കാം; അതുപോലെ ഭൂമിയിലേക്കും പുറപ്പെടാം. ഇച്ഛാശക്തിയാൽ സമ്പന്നനായതിനാൽ അവൻ വ്യാകുലനാകുന്നില്ല; സ്വയം സമുദ്രം പോലും കുടിക്കുവാൻ കഴിയും.

Word by Word

• jale: in water
• jale: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (जल)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• nivasanam: dwelling
• nivasanam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nivasana (निवसन)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: Conjunction

• eva: indeed
• eva: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (एव)
• Form: Emphasis Particle

• bhūmyām: on the earth
• bhūmyām: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (भूमि)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• evam: thus
• evam: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (एवम्)
• Form: Adverbial Indeclinable

• vinirgamaḥ: emergence
• vinirgamaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinirgama (विनिर्गम)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• icchet: he may wish
• icchet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (इष्)
• Form: Vidhilin (Potential), Parasamaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• śaktaḥ: capable
• śaktaḥ: Karta-visheshana (Attribute of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śak (शक्)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (Kta/क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• svayam: himself
• svayam: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (स्वयम्)
• Form: Adverbial Indeclinable

• pātum: to drink
• pātum: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pā (पा)
• Form: Infinitive (Tumun/तुमुन्)

• samudram: the ocean
• samudram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samudra (समुद्र)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• api: even
• api: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अपि)
• Form: Particle

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (न)
• Form: Negation Particle

• āturaḥ: afflicted/distressed
• āturaḥ: Karta-visheshana (Attribute of Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātura (आतुर)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It proclaims the Lord’s absolute sovereignty: by icchā-śakti (power of divine will), Shiva is untouched by limitation and can manifest, move, and act beyond ordinary nature—teaching that liberation comes by taking refuge in Pati, the transcendent Lord.

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

Such descriptions support Saguna contemplation: the Linga signifies Shiva’s limitless presence, while these “impossible” acts point devotees from form to the formless reality behind it—Shiva who pervades all elements and is never constrained by them.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva’s icchā-śakti while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), visualizing the Linga as pervading water and earth; this steadies the mind and loosens pasha (bondage) through devotion and inner recollection.