Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

आभिमानिकमैश्वर्यं प्राजापत्यं प्रचक्षते । एतच्चान्द्रमसैर्भोगैः षट्पञ्चाशद्गुणं महत्

Transliteration

ābhimānikamaiśvaryaṃ prājāpatyaṃ pracakṣate | etaccāndramasairbhogaiḥ ṣaṭpañcāśadguṇaṃ mahat

Translation

อำนาจเป็นใหญ่ที่เรียกว่า “อาภิมานิกะ” นั้น ท่านกล่าวว่าเป็นอธิปไตยระดับปรชาปติ (ปราชาปัตยะ); และความยิ่งใหญ่นี้สูงกว่าเสวยสุขในแดนจันทรา (จานทรมสะ) ถึงห้าสิบหกเท่า.

Word by Word

• ābhimānikam: pertaining to ego/abhimāna
• ābhimānikam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ābhimānika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying aiśvaryam

• aiśvaryam: lordship, sovereignty
• aiśvaryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aiśvarya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• prājāpatyam: (state) of Prajāpati / prājāpatya
• prājāpatyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prājāpatya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• pracakṣate: they call/declare
• pracakṣate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra+√cakṣ (चक्ष् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

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

• āndramasaiḥ: lunar
• āndramasaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āndramasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); adjective qualifying bhogaiḥ

• bhogaiḥ: enjoyments
• bhogaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ṣaṭpañcāśat-guṇam: fifty-sixfold
• ṣaṭpañcāśat-guṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣaṭ (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + pañcāśat (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); dvigu compound used adjectivally meaning 'having 56 as multiplier'

• mahat: great
• mahat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying etat

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Ishana

Characters & Entities

• Prajapati
• Chandra (lunar sphere)

FAQs

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

It ranks worldly/heavenly “bhoga” below higher grades of aiśvarya, implying that even refined celestial enjoyment is still a limited fruit of karma, whereas true Shaiva liberation ultimately transcends all graded pleasures.

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

By contrasting temporary lunar enjoyments with higher states, it supports the Shaiva teaching that devotion to Shiva (Saguna worship leading to Shiva’s grace) aims beyond heavenly rewards toward enduring spiritual elevation and, finally, moksha.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Seek Shiva-oriented sādhanā rather than heaven-seeking rites—japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady bhakti as the intent, so practice is directed toward grace and release, not merely celestial bhoga.