Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 24

योगाचार्यरूपेण शर्वावताराः (Śarva’s manifestations as Yoga-Teachers)

Devanagari script

सर्वद्वंद्वसहा धीराः सर्वभूतहिते रताः । ऋजवो मृदवः स्वस्था जितक्रोधा जितेंद्रियाः

Transliteration

sarvadvaṃdvasahā dhīrāḥ sarvabhūtahite ratāḥ | ṛjavo mṛdavaḥ svasthā jitakrodhā jiteṃdriyāḥ

Translation

وہ ثابت قدم اور بردبار تھے، ہر طرح کے دُوَندْو کو سہنے والے اور تمام جانداروں کے بھلے میں مشغول۔ وہ راست باز، نرم خو، باطن میں مطمئن—غصّہ پر غالب اور حواس پر قابو رکھنے والے تھے۔

Word by Word

• sarva-dvandva-sahāḥ: enduring all dualities
• sarva-dvandva-sahāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + dvandva (प्रातिपदिक) + saha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘enduring (saha) all pairs of opposites (dvandva)’

• dhīrāḥ: steadfast, wise
• dhīrāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarva-bhūta-hite: in the welfare of all beings
• sarva-bhūta-hite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘in the welfare (hita) of all beings (sarva-bhūta)’

• ratāḥ: engaged, devoted
• ratāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘engaged/devoted’ with locative complement

• ṛjavaḥ: straightforward
• ṛjavaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛju (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• mṛdavaḥ: gentle
• mṛdavaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• svasthāḥ: self-possessed, at ease
• svasthāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• jita-krodhāḥ: having conquered anger
• jita-krodhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (कृदन्त; धातु √ji (जि) past participle) + krodha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘having conquered anger’

• jita-indriyāḥ: having mastered the senses
• jita-indriyāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (कृदन्त; धातु √ji (जि) past participle) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘having conquered the senses’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It describes the marks of a Shaiva seeker fit for Shiva’s grace: equanimity amid dualities, compassion toward all beings, and inner steadiness gained by conquering anger and disciplining the senses—key prerequisites for liberation (moksha).

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

Linga-worship is meant to transform character as well as grant merit: devotion to Saguna Shiva bears fruit when the devotee becomes gentle, truthful, and self-restrained, reflecting Shiva’s auspicious qualities (śivadharma) in daily life.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with breath-awareness, coupled with daily restraint (indriya-nigraha) and anger-watchfulness; support it with Shaiva observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders of inner discipline.