Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 13

साधक-दीक्षा तथा मन्त्रसाधन

Puraścaraṇa and the Discipline of the Mantra-Sādhaka

Devanagari script

देवालये गृहे ऽन्यस्मिन्देशे वा सुमनोहरे । सुखेनाभ्यस्तपूर्वेण त्वासनेन कृतासनः

Transliteration

devālaye gṛhe 'nyasmindeśe vā sumanohare | sukhenābhyastapūrveṇa tvāsanena kṛtāsanaḥ

Translation

ในเทวาลัย ในเรือน หรือสถานที่อื่นอันรื่นรมย์ยิ่ง พึงนั่งอย่างผาสุกบนอาสนะที่เคยฝึกจนคุ้นและเหมาะแก่ตน แล้วตั้งกายให้มั่นคง।

Word by Word

• देव-आलये: in a temple
• देव-आलये: अधिकरण (Locative/Place)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘देवानाम् आलयः’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः

• गृहे: in a house
• गृहे: अधिकरण (Locative/Place)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• अन्यस्मिन्: in another
• अन्यस्मिन्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषण (deśe इत्यस्य)

• देशे: place
• देशे: अधिकरण (Locative/Place)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात

• सु-मनोहरे: in a very pleasing (place)
• सु-मनोहरे: विशेषण (Qualifier of deśe)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + मनोहर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘सु’ इति उपपदेन विशेषणम्)

• सुखेन: with ease
• सुखेन: करण/क्रियाविशेषण (Instrument/Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (with ease)

• अभ्यस्त-पूर्वेण: previously practiced
• अभ्यस्त-पूर्वेण: विशेषण (Qualifier of āsanena)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्यस्त (कृदन्त, √अभि-√अस्/√अभ्यास् ‘to practice’) + पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘अभ्यस्तं पूर्वं येन’ इति तत्पुरुषभावः; आसनेन इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• तु: indeed/and
• तु: सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण/विरोधार्थक-निपात (particle; here mild emphasis)

• आसनेन: with a posture/seat
• आसनेन: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• कृत-आसनः: one who has assumed the posture
• कृत-आसनः: कर्ता (Agent/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृदन्त, √कृ धातु) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (‘कृतम् आसनं येन सः’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a sthala-specific passage; it gives general preparatory instructions for sādhana (āsana and place-selection) applicable at any Śiva-kṣetra or home shrine.

Significance: Establishes the sādhaka in a sattvic, stable environment so japa/dhyāna can mature into steadiness (niṣṭhā) and receptivity to Śiva’s grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes the Shaiva discipline that inner worship begins with right preparation: a pure, pleasing place and a steady, comfortable posture that supports sustained dhyana on Pati (Shiva) without distraction.

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

By recommending temple or home as suitable places, it supports Saguna upasana—sitting near the Linga or in a sanctified space—so the mind becomes fit for focused remembrance of Shiva, which can mature into deeper contemplation beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical dhyana instruction: choose a clean, serene spot (temple/home), sit in an asana you can hold comfortably (previously practiced), and then proceed to mantra-japa or Linga-focused meditation as taught in the Shiva Purana.