Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 55

शिवशक्त्यैक्य-तत्त्वविचारः / Inquiry into the Unity of Śiva and Śakti

Para–Apara Ontology

Devanagari script

विषयी भगवानीशो विषयः परमेश्वरी । श्राव्यं सर्वमुमारूपं श्रोता शूलवरायुधः

Transliteration

viṣayī bhagavānīśo viṣayaḥ parameśvarī | śrāvyaṃ sarvamumārūpaṃ śrotā śūlavarāyudhaḥ

Translation

الذائقُ الواعي هو الربُّ المباركُ إيشا (شيفا)؛ والمذوقُ موضوعًا هو الإلهةُ العُليا باراميشڤري. وكلُّ ما يُسمَع إنما هو على صورة أُوما، وأما السامع فهو الربُّ ذو السلاحِ الأمثل: الرمحُ الثلاثي (التريشولا).

Word by Word

• विषयी: the experiencer (subject)
• विषयी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विषयिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘possessor of objects/experiencer’

• भगवान्-ईशः: the Blessed Lord (Īśa)
• भगवान्-ईशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘the Lord who is Bhagavān’

• विषयः: the object
• विषयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विषय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘object (of experience)’

• परम-ईश्वरी: the Supreme Goddess
• परम-ईश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘the supreme goddess’

• श्राव्यम्: that which is to be heard
• श्राव्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्राव्य (कृदन्त; √श्रु (धातु) ण्यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; कृदन्त-विशेषण; ‘to be heard/hearable’

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण ‘all’

• उमा-रूपम्: the form of Umā
• उमा-रूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उमा (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (उमायाः रूपम्)

• श्रोता: the hearer
• श्रोता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोतृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘hearer/listener’

• शूल-वर-आयुधः: (he) whose weapon is the excellent trident
• शूल-वर-आयुधः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक) + वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘he whose weapon is the excellent trident’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Ishana

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific (sthala) verse; it teaches the Śiva–Śakti polarity as subject (viṣayī/śrotā) and object (viṣaya/śrāvya) rather than narrating a Jyotirliṅga origin.

Significance: Internal pilgrimage (antar-yātrā): recognizing all knowables/hearables as Śakti and the knower as Śiva is framed as a contemplative aid toward non-dual devotional insight and Śiva’s grace.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Umā

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It frames all experience through the Shaiva lens: Śiva is the witnessing Lord (Pati), while Śakti (Parameśvarī/Umā) is the manifested field of experience. Liberation matures when one recognizes the world and sacred teaching as Śakti, and the inner witness as Śiva—never separate in essence.

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

In Linga worship, the devotee approaches Śiva as the supreme subject (the indwelling Lord) while honoring the manifest power as Umā/Śakti. The verse supports Saguna devotion: hearing Shiva-kathā, seeing the Linga, and offering worship are actions within Śakti, yet they reveal the ever-present Śiva as the hearer-witness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a direct sādhana: listen to Shiva Purana recitation while contemplating that the teaching is Umā’s power and the inner listener is Śiva. This can be paired with japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and trident-bearing Śiva dhyāna.