Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30

ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation

on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva

Devanagari script

यथा स्थूलमयुक्तानां मृत्काष्ठाद्यैः प्रकल्पितम् । यथेहांतश्चरा राज्ञः प्रियाः स्युर्न बहिश्चराः

Transliteration

yathā sthūlamayuktānāṃ mṛtkāṣṭhādyaiḥ prakalpitam | yathehāṃtaścarā rājñaḥ priyāḥ syurna bahiścarāḥ

Translation

ดุจคนไร้วินัยย่อมสร้างความคิดหยาบจากดินเหนียว ไม้ และสิ่งอื่น ๆ; ฉันใด ในโลกนี้ผู้เป็นที่รักของพระราชาคือผู้สัญจรอยู่ภายใน มิใช่ผู้เที่ยวเตร่นอกวัง ฉันนั้น।

Word by Word

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानार्थक-अव्ययम् (comparative ‘as/just as’)

• sthūlam: gross
• sthūlam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; विशेषणम् (implicit ‘rūpam/vapuḥ’)

• ayuktānām: of the unrestrained
• ayuktānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (generic), Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Bahuvacana; ‘of the unyoked/uncontrolled (persons)’

• mṛt-kāṣṭha-ādyaiḥ: by clay, wood, etc.
• mṛt-kāṣṭha-ādyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛt (प्रातिपदिक) + kāṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana; तत्पुरुष-समासः (ādi-समासान्त); करणार्थे (instrumental)

• prakalpitam: constructed/formed
• prakalpitam: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-√kḷp (कॢप् धातु) (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: Napumsaka, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; कर्मणि/भावे—‘constructed/imagined’

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानार्थक-अव्ययम्

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम् (adverb of place ‘here/in this world’)

• antaḥ-carāḥ: those who move within (inner attendants)
• antaḥ-carāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antaḥ (अव्यय) + cara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अर्थः—‘those who move inside’

• rājñaḥ: of the king
• rājñaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th), Ekavacana

• priyāḥ: dear
• priyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; विशेषणम् (antaḥ-carāḥ)

• syuḥ: would be/are
• syuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (अस् धातु)
• Form: Liṅ-lakāra (Potential/विधिलिङ्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana; parasmaipada

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम्

• bahiḥ-carāḥ: those who move outside (outer attendants)
• bahiḥ-carāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bahiḥ (अव्यय) + cara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Bahuvacana; अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अर्थः—‘those who move outside’

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Vayu Samhita teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It teaches that the untrained mind grasps only gross, constructed notions, while true closeness to the Supreme (Pati, Shiva) comes from inner discipline—turning inward through yoga and devotion rather than remaining outwardly scattered.

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

The verse implies that external forms (clay/wood) are supports for the undisciplined, but the goal is inner approach—seeing the Linga not merely as material, but as a sacred doorway to Shiva’s indwelling presence and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt inward-focused sadhana: japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), meditation on Shiva within the heart, and disciplined yogic restraint (yama-niyama) so worship becomes internalized rather than merely external.