Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8

पूजाविधान-व्याख्या (Pūjāvidhāna-vyākhyā) — Exposition of the Procedure of Worship

Devanagari script

शुद्धस्फटिकसंकाशं फुल्लपद्मत्रिलोचनम् । चतुर्भुजमुदाराङ्गं चारुचंद्रकलाधरम्

Transliteration

śuddhasphaṭikasaṃkāśaṃ phullapadmatrilocanam | caturbhujamudārāṅgaṃ cārucaṃdrakalādharam

Translation

祂光耀如纯净水晶，三目如盛开莲华；四臂庄严，肢体高贵，顶戴可爱的月牙一分——此即吉祥的、有相（saguṇa）之主湿婆，当以观想礼敬。

Word by Word

• śuddha-sphaṭika-saṃkāśam: having the appearance of pure crystal
• śuddha-sphaṭika-saṃkāśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + sphaṭika (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana (एकवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुषः (निर्धारण/उपमानार्थः)

• phulla-padma-tri-locanam: three-eyed with eyes like blooming lotuses
• phulla-padma-tri-locanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phulla (प्रातिपदिक) + padma (प्रातिपदिक) + tri (संख्याप्रातिपदिक) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (त्रिलोचनम् = त्रयः लोचनानि यस्य; पद्मवत् फुल्लानि)

• catur-bhujam: four-armed
• catur-bhujam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur (संख्याप्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (चत्वारः भुजाः यस्य)

• udāra-aṅgam: with a noble/majestic body
• udāra-aṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udāra (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः—कर्मधारयः (उदारम् अङ्गम्)

• cāru-candra-kalā-dharam: bearing the beautiful crescent moon
• cāru-candra-kalā-dharam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cāru (प्रातिपदिक) + candra (प्रातिपदिक) + kalā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (चन्द्रस्य कला = चन्द्रकलां धारयति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse gives a dhyāna-lakṣaṇa (meditative icon) of Śiva—pure, luminous, and auspicious—so the mind can be steadied on Pati (the Lord) and lifted beyond pasha (bondage) toward liberation.

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

While the Liṅga points to Śiva’s transcendent (nirguṇa) reality, this verse presents His compassionate saguna aspect—three-eyed and crescent-bearing—supporting devotees who worship through form, mantra, and visualization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice Śiva-dhyāna: visualize Śiva as crystal-bright, three-eyed, and crescent-crowned while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya); this can be paired with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as supportive aids.