Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13

विष्णूत्पत्तिवर्णनम्

Description of the Origin/Manifestation of Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

निर्विकल्पं निरारंभं निर्मायं निरुपद्रवम् । अद्वितीयमनाद्यन्तमविकाशं चिदात्मकम्

Transliteration

nirvikalpaṃ nirāraṃbhaṃ nirmāyaṃ nirupadravam | advitīyamanādyantamavikāśaṃ cidātmakam

Translation

هو منزّه عن كل تمييزٍ تصوّري، بلا دافعٍ بادئ، بلا تصنّعٍ ولا مايا، وغيرُ ممسوسٍ بالاضطراب. هو غيرُ ثنائي، بلا بدءٍ ولا انتهاء، متعالٍ عن كل تبدّلٍ أو امتداد، وهو بعينه طبيعة الوعي الخالص.

Word by Word

• निर्विकल्पम्: free from conceptual distinctions
• निर्विकल्पम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + विकल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• निरारम्भम्: without beginning/undertaking
• निरारम्भम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + आरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• निर्मायम्: free from māyā/illusion
• निर्मायम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (मायारहित)

• निरुपद्रवम्: without disturbance/affliction
• निरुपद्रवम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + उपद्रव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अद्वितीयम्: non-dual, without a second
• अद्वितीयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अनादि-अन्तम्: without beginning and end
• अनादि-अन्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + आदि + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (आदि च अन्तश्च) with negation: without beginning and end

• अविकाशम्: without expansion/unfolding
• अविकाशम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + विकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• चित्-आत्मकम्: of the nature of consciousness
• चित्-आत्मकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित् + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (whose essence is consciousness)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: nirvikalpaṃ nirāraṃbhaṃ nirmāyaṃ nirupadravam | advitīyamanādyantamavikāśaṃ cidātmakam

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse points to Shiva as Pati—the Supreme Reality—transcending all limiting concepts, beginnings, and changes. Meditating on Him as non-dual, unconditioned Consciousness leads the seeker beyond pasha (bondage) toward moksha.

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

Though Shiva is described here as nirguna (beyond attributes), the Shiva Purana teaches that the same Supreme is compassionately approached through saguna supports like the Shiva Linga, mantra, and puja—forms that steady the mind toward the formless Truth.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A key practice is dhyana on Shiva as cid-atman (pure Awareness), supported by japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namah Shivaya.” The verse especially supports inward meditation (nirvikalpa-bhava) rather than outwardly conceptualizing Shiva.