Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
उपमन्युरुवाच । शक्तिस्स्वाभविकी तस्य विद्या विश्वविलक्षणा । एकानेकस्य रूपेण भाति भानोरिव प्रभा
upamanyuruvāca | śaktissvābhavikī tasya vidyā viśvavilakṣaṇā | ekānekasya rūpeṇa bhāti bhānoriva prabhā
উপমন্যুৱে ক’লে—তেওঁৰ শক্তি স্বাভাৱিক; তেওঁৰ বিদ্যা সমগ্ৰ বিশ্বতকৈও অনন্য। সেই একেই বহু ৰূপে দীপ্ত—যেনে সূৰ্যৰ প্ৰভা নানা ৰূপে প্ৰকাশ পায়।
Upamanyu
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: śaktissvābhavikī tasya vidyā viśvavilakṣaṇā | ekānekasya rūpeṇa bhāti bhānoriva prabhā
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: creative
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva (Pati) possesses inherent Śakti and transcendent Vidyā, and that the multiplicity of the universe is a manifestation of the One—supporting a contemplative vision that leads the soul (paśu) toward liberation from bondage (pāśa).
The verse clarifies that while Śiva is one and beyond the world, He also appears in many forms; thus Linga worship and saguna forms are valid supports for approaching the same supreme reality whose light pervades all manifestations.
Meditate on the One Śiva shining through all experiences (sarva-vyāpti-bhāvanā) while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” using the Linga as a steady focus for recognizing the single divine consciousness behind the many.