Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 29

शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti

Devanagari script

अनेकजन्मसिद्धानां श्रौतस्मार्तानुवर्तिनाम् । विरक्तानां प्रबुद्धानां प्रसीदति महेश्वरः

Transliteration

anekajanmasiddhānāṃ śrautasmārtānuvartinām | viraktānāṃ prabuddhānāṃ prasīdati maheśvaraḥ

Translation

Махадева благоволит тем, кто совершенствовался через многие рождения: тем, кто верно следует ведическим и смрити-установлениям, кто бесстрастен и духовно пробуждён.

Word by Word

• aneka-janma-siddhānām: of those perfected through many births
• aneka-janma-siddhānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aneka (प्रातिपदिक) + janman (प्रातिपदिक) + siddha (√sidh/सिध् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: अनेकजन्मसु सिद्धाः (perfected through many births)

• śrauta-smārta-anuvartinām: of followers of śrauta and smārta (duties)
• śrauta-smārta-anuvartinām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrauta (प्रातिपदिक) + smārta (प्रातिपदिक) + anuvartin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (śrauta+smārta) + तत्पुरुष: (श्रौतं च स्मार्तं च) अनुवर्तन्ते ये (followers of śrauta and smārta traditions)

• viraktānām: of the detached
• viraktānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: virakta (√rañj/रञ्ज् धातु, क्त with vi-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• prabuddhānām: of the awakened/enlightened
• prabuddhānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prabuddha (√budh/बुध् धातु, क्त with pra-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• prasīdati: is pleased/shows grace
• prasīdati: Kriyā (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + √sad (सद् धातु)
• Form: लट् लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• mahā-īśvaraḥ: Maheshvara (the Great Lord)
• mahā-īśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: महान् ईश्वरः (the great Lord)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines the inner qualifications (adhikāra) for receiving Śiva’s prasāda—orthopraxy (śrauta-smārta), vairāgya, and bodha—often cultivated through tīrtha-yātrā and vrata over time.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva’s anugraha (grace) arises where long cultivation ripens into dharma-based living, inner detachment (vairāgya), and awakened discernment—marking readiness for liberation under Pati (Śiva).

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

It frames Saguna worship (such as Linga-upāsanā) as most fruitful when supported by Śrauta-Smārta purity and inner renunciation; then the devotee becomes fit to receive Śiva’s grace, which ultimately leads beyond form to the highest realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Steady observance of Vedic/Smārta duties along with Shaiva sādhanā—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with a pure mind, and cultivation of vairāgya and self-inquiry leading to prabodha (awakening).