Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 97

बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्

Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause

Devanagari script

गुर्वनुज्ञाविरहितं चोरवत्सकलं भवेत् । गुरोरपि विशेषज्ञं यत्नाद्गृह्णीत वै गुरुम्

Transliteration

gurvanujñāvirahitaṃ coravatsakalaṃ bhavet | gurorapi viśeṣajñaṃ yatnādgṛhṇīta vai gurum

Translation

凡一切圣行若无上师（Guru）许可而作，皆全然染污，如同盗取。故当勤勉求取并依止一位真正善于辨别、即使在诸师之中亦为卓越、且精通此特定法门的上师。

Word by Word

• गुरु-अनुज्ञा-विरहितम्: (one) lacking the guru’s permission
• गुरु-अनुज्ञा-विरहितम्: Karma (कर्म/विशेष्य)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक) + विरहित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘गुरोः अनुज्ञया विरहितम्’ = ‘devoid of the guru’s permission’

• चोरवत्: like a thief
• चोरवत्: None (उपमान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चोरवत् (अव्यय/तद्धितान्त)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानवाचक (simile adverb) ‘like a thief’

• सकलम्: entire, wholly
• सकलम्: Karma (कर्म/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सकल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• भवेत्: would be, should become
• भवेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• गुरोः: of the guru
• गुरोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• अपि: also, even
• अपि: None (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय; ‘also/even’

• विशेषज्ञम्: one skilled/knowledgeable (expert)
• विशेषज्ञम्: Karma (कर्म/गृह्य-वस्तु)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘विशेषं जानाति’ = ‘one who knows distinctions’

• यत्नात्: with effort, carefully
• यत्नात्: Hetu (हेतु/प्रयत्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; ‘with effort’ (ablative of manner/source)

• गृह्णीत: you should accept/choose
• गृह्णीत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वै: indeed
• वै: None (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय; emphasis

• गुरुम्: the guru
• गुरुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva-upāsanā must be rooted in humility and right transmission: without the Guru’s sanction, practice becomes ego-driven appropriation, obstructing grace (anugraha) and true purification.

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

Linga worship and Saguna Śiva devotion are powerful, but the Purāṇa emphasizes proper vidhi and inner attitude; the Guru ensures the devotee follows correct ritual, mantra, and bhāva so worship becomes a channel for Śiva’s grace rather than mere display.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Seek dīkṣā or clear guidance from a qualified Śaiva Guru for mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī), and perform worship (including bhasma/rudrākṣa disciplines if prescribed) only as instructed, not independently or prematurely.