Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 47

शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)

Devanagari script

गुरोर्भ्रात्ःंस्तथा पुत्रान्बोधकान्प्रेरकानपि । तत्रादावुपसंगम्य ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम्

Transliteration

gurorbhrātḥṃstathā putrānbodhakānprerakānapi | tatrādāvupasaṃgamya brāhmaṇaṃ vedapāragam

Translation

Trước hết, hãy đến gặp và kính cẩn thăm viếng các huynh đệ của Guru, các con trai của Ngài, cùng những vị chỉ dạy và khích lệ; và ngay từ ban đầu, hãy cung kính đến gần một vị Bà-la-môn đã vượt qua bờ bên kia của Veda.

Word by Word

• guroḥ: of the teacher
• guroḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• bhrātṝn: brothers
• bhrātṝn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: likewise/also)

• putrān: sons
• putrān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• bodhakān: instructors/teachers
• bodhakān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bodhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• prerakān: inspirers/impellers
• prerakān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (particle: also/even)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: there/in that context)

• ādau: at the beginning/first
• ādau: Kāla (काल/temporal adjunct)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग (at first)

• upasaṃgamya: having approached
• upasaṃgamya: Kriya (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-saṃ√gam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive); 'having approached'

• brāhmaṇam: a Brahmin
• brāhmaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• vedapāragam: versed in the Vedas
• vedapāragam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: veda + pāra + ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वेदस्य पारगः = one who has gone to the far shore of the Veda)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Highlights the social-ritual ecology around the guru (family and fellow instructors) and prioritizes approaching a Veda-versed brāhmaṇa—supporting orthodox grounding for Śaiva practice.

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Brahmana
• Vedas

FAQs

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

It teaches that progress in Shiva-bhakti and Shaiva discipline begins with humility and proper approach to the Guru-lineage and Veda-knowing guides, ensuring that worship and practice are aligned with dharma rather than ego or improvisation.

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

Linga-worship is traditionally received through right instruction and authorized method; by approaching the Guru’s circle and a Veda-versed Brāhmaṇa, the devotee learns the correct rituals, mantras, purity rules, and inner attitude needed for Saguna Shiva-upāsanā to become spiritually transformative.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies preparatory conduct: respectfully seeking guidance, offering salutations and service to teachers/elders, and receiving correct instruction before undertaking Shiva-pūjā, japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī), or observances like Mahāśivarātri vows.