Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 56

मन्त्रसिद्धिः, प्रतिबन्धनिरासः, श्रद्धा-नियमाः

Mantra Efficacy, Removal of Obstacles, and the Role of Faith/Discipline

Devanagari script

करवीरार्कजाः क्रौर्ये कण्टकिन्यश्च विग्रहे । प्रशांतः शांतिकं कुर्यात्पौष्टिकं च विशेषतः

Transliteration

karavīrārkajāḥ kraurye kaṇṭakinyaśca vigrahe | praśāṃtaḥ śāṃtikaṃ kuryātpauṣṭikaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ

Translation

若起凶暴酷烈，当用karavīra与arka所系之对治法；若生争斗纷扰，则当行“带刺”之护持法门。然心地澄静之奉主者，尤应修息灾安抚（śānti）之仪，并修滋养安康（pauṣṭika）之法。

Word by Word

• करवीरार्कजाः: (plants) born of oleander and sun (i.e., karavīra and arka types)
• करवीरार्कजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवीर + अर्क + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (करवीरस्य अर्कस्य च जाः = born of oleander and sun)

• क्रौर्ये: in/for cruelty
• क्रौर्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रौर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; locative—“in cruelty/for cruel purpose”

• कण्टकिन्यः: thorny (plants)
• कण्टकिन्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्टकिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विग्रहे: in conflict
• विग्रहे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; locative—“in conflict/quarrel”

• प्रशान्तः: one who is calm/appeased
• प्रशान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-शम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त) → प्रशान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) used adjectivally—“calm/appeased”

• शान्तिकम्: pacificatory (rite)
• शान्तिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शान्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; object of action—“pacificatory rite”

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पौष्टिकम्: prosperity/strength-giving (rite)
• पौष्टिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौष्टिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; object—“prosperity/strength-giving rite”

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विशेषतः: especially
• विशेषतः: Kriya-Visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेषतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/विशेषणार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner/emphasis)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that disturbances like cruelty and conflict are to be met with appropriate remedial disciplines, while the ideal Shaiva practitioner prioritizes inner tranquility expressed outwardly through shāntika (peace-making) and pauṣṭika (life-supporting) observances aligned with dharma.

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

In Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship, ritual actions are offerings that refine the practitioner’s pashu-bhāva (bound condition). Shāntika and pauṣṭika rites are performed as Shiva-arpana (dedication to Shiva), aiming to dissolve agitation and restore sattva so devotion and meditation on the Linga become steady.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to shāntika and pauṣṭika karmas—pacificatory and strengthening rites—supported by a tranquil mind; in practice this is commonly paired with regular japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), simple Shiva-pūjā, and cultivating praśānta (calm) conduct.