Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 43

भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast

Devanagari script

अन्येषामपि सर्वेषां सरक्ता अपि बाहवः । अलसानामिवारंभास्तादृशाः प्रतियांत्युत

Transliteration

anyeṣāmapi sarveṣāṃ saraktā api bāhavaḥ | alasānāmivāraṃbhāstādṛśāḥ pratiyāṃtyuta

Translation

即便其余众人的臂膀虽染着血，也如懒惰者半心半意的开端般勉强发动，又一次次以同样的无力退回。

Word by Word

• anyeṣām: of others
• anyeṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)—‘also/even’

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sa-raktāḥ: bloodied, with blood
• sa-raktāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक/उपसर्गार्थ ‘with’) + rakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) (स-समास); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• api: even though
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)—concessive ‘even though’

• bāhavaḥ: arms
• bāhavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• alasānām: of the lazy / weary
• alasānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• iva: as if
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile particle (उपमावाचक अव्यय)

• ārambhāḥ: efforts, attempts
• ārambhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ārambha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tādṛśāḥ: such, of that kind
• tādṛśāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tādṛś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); agreeing with ārambhāḥ

• pratiyānti: go back/retreat, subside
• pratiyānti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (धातु) with prati-
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• uta: indeed/also
• uta: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: uta (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)—emphasis/also (उत)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It highlights how effort stained by tamas (inertia) and pasha-bound motivation becomes ineffective—actions begin but repeatedly collapse, implying that true power arises when one aligns with Shiva (Pati) rather than with bondage (pasha).

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

The verse contrasts weak, worldly exertion with the steadiness gained through devotion to Saguna Shiva; Linga-worship disciplines the mind, purifies intention, and turns scattered effort into focused sadhana directed toward Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate steadiness through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple daily Linga-puja; these reduce tamas and make one’s effort consistent rather than repeatedly falling back into lethargy.