Shloka 12

Śivāṣṭamūrti-varṇanam

Description of Shiva’s Eight Forms

Devanagari script

आत्मा तस्याष्टमं रूपं शिवस्य परमात्मनः । व्यापिकेतरमूर्तीनां विश्वं तस्माच्छिवात्मकम्

Transliteration

ātmā tasyāṣṭamaṃ rūpaṃ śivasya paramātmanaḥ | vyāpiketaramūrtīnāṃ viśvaṃ tasmācchivātmakam

Translation

الآتمن (الذات الفردية) هو الصورة الثامنة لشيفا، الباراماتمن. لذلك، من بين صوره—النافذة في كل شيء والمتموضعة في مواضع—فالكون كلّه في جوهره شيفيٌّ، قائمٌ بشيفا.

Word by Word

ātmāthe Self

tasyaof him/of that

aṣṭamameighth

rūpamform

śivasyaof Śiva

paramātmanaḥof the Supreme Self

vyāpika-itara-mūrtīnāmof the all-pervading and other forms

viśvamthe universe

tasmātfrom that/therefore

śiva-ātmakamof the nature of Śiva

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadashiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Supports the Śaiva Siddhānta contemplative move: recognize Śiva as the inner ruler of both vyāpaka (all-pervading) and avayāpaka/itara (localized) manifestations; pilgrimage here is ‘antar-yātrā’ (inner recognition).

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Paramatma

Atman

FAQs

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

It teaches that the soul’s inner reality is inseparable from Shiva’s supreme principle: Shiva is both transcendent and immanent, so the universe and the self are to be contemplated as Shivamaya (pervaded by Shiva).

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

By affirming Shiva’s localized forms alongside His all-pervading nature, it supports Saguna worship—such as Linga-puja—as a valid approach to the same Supreme Shiva who also pervades all beings as the inner Self.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as the indwelling Self while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and perform Linga worship with the insight that the deity is both within (Ātman) and present as the sanctified form (mūrti).