Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
शिवशक्त्यैक्य-तत्त्वविचारः / Inquiry into the Unity of Śiva and Śakti
Para–Apara Ontology
एकधा च द्विधा चैव तथा शतसहस्रधा । शक्तयः खलु भिद्यंते बहुधा व्यवहारतः
ekadhā ca dvidhā caiva tathā śatasahasradhā | śaktayaḥ khalu bhidyaṃte bahudhā vyavahārataḥ
إنّ القوى الإلهية (شاكتي) تُذكر حقًّا على أنها واحدة، واثنتان، بل مئات وآلاف؛ إذ بحسب الاستعمال الدنيوي واستعمال النصوص، تُميَّز بوجوهٍ شتّى.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that although Śiva’s Power is ultimately one (non-dual in essence), it is described as twofold (Śiva–Śakti) and as countless functions for the sake of explaining creation, bondage, grace, and liberation—supporting a practical path to moksha.
Linga worship approaches the One Reality through form: devotees recognize one Supreme (Śiva) while honoring His manifold Śaktis as the divine workings experienced in the cosmos—making Saguna worship a doorway to realizing the Nirguna truth.
Meditate during japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) that all diverse experiences and divine functions are expressions of one Śiva-Śakti; this steadies the mind and turns multiplicity into a unified contemplation.