Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 23
सर्वेश्वर-परमकारण-निरूपणम् / The Supreme Lord as the Uncaused Cause
अस्य भूतानि वश्यानि अयं सर्वनियोजकः । अयं तु परया भक्त्या दृश्यते नान्यथा क्वचित्
asya bhūtāni vaśyāni ayaṃ sarvaniyojakaḥ | ayaṃ tu parayā bhaktyā dṛśyate nānyathā kvacit
جميع الكائنات خاضعة لسلطانه؛ فهو الذي يعيّن ويُدبّر كل شيء. غير أنّه لا يُشاهَد إلا بالبهاكتي العليا، ولا بغير ذلك في أي زمان.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s supremacy and the means of realization to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares Shiva as Pati—the supreme ordainer of all beings (pashu)—and teaches that true realization of Him is not attained merely by intellect or external power, but by para-bhakti (supreme devotion) that removes bondage (pasha) and reveals His presence.
The Linga is the accessible, worshipful form through which devotion becomes concentrated and mature. This verse supports Saguna-upasana as a direct path: when worship ripens into para-bhakti, Shiva becomes ‘dṛśyate’—personally realized—rather than remaining only a concept.
Practice steady bhakti through daily Linga-puja with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as aids to remembrance; the key instruction is intensity and purity of devotion rather than mere outer form.