Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14

काम्यकर्मविभागः — Taxonomy of Kāmya (Desire-Motivated) Śaiva Rites

Devanagari script

रत्नहेमादिभिश्चूर्णैर्यथासंभवसंभृतैः । पञ्चावरणसंयुक्तं बहुशोभासमन्वितम्

Transliteration

ratnahemādibhiścūrṇairyathāsaṃbhavasaṃbhṛtaiḥ | pañcāvaraṇasaṃyuktaṃ bahuśobhāsamanvitam

Translation

以宝石、黄金等所制之粉末，随力而集；应将其布置为具五重围护（āvaraṇa），光辉灿然，庄严殊胜。

Word by Word

• ratna-hema-ādibhiḥ: with jewels, gold, etc.
• ratna-hema-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna + hema + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व with ādi indicating 'etc.'

• cūrṇaiḥ: with powders
• cūrṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• yathā-saṃbhava-saṃbhṛtaiḥ: collected as available/according to possibility
• yathā-saṃbhava-saṃbhṛtaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yathā + saṃbhava + saṃbhṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; avyayībhāva adverbial first member yathā- modifying saṃbhṛtaiḥ; adjective agreeing with cūrṇaiḥ

• pañca-āvaraṇa-saṃyuktam: joined with five enclosures
• pañca-āvaraṇa-saṃyuktam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca + āvaraṇa + saṃyukta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective qualifying (padma/maṇḍala implied); तत्पुरुष (pañcānām āvaraṇānām saṃyuktam)

• bahu-śobhā-samanvitam: endowed with much beauty
• bahu-śobhā-samanvitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu + śobhā + samanvita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective; तत्पुरुष (bahvyā śobhayā samanvitam)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that worship of Shiva is valid at every level of capacity—offerings may be simple or splendid—yet when done with order (five coverings) and devotion, the act becomes a luminous support for bhakti and inner purification.

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

The verse describes adorning the worship-setting for the Linga with auspicious substances; this is Saguna-upasana, where the devotee approaches Shiva through a sacred form and carefully arranged ritual space, which steadies the mind and directs it to Pati (Shiva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Prepare the altar or pavilion with layered enclosures and beautify it with available auspicious materials; while arranging, keep the mind fixed on Shiva (often with japa of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) so outer order supports inner concentration.