Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11

अग्नीषोमात्मकविश्ववर्णनम् / The Universe as Agni–Soma

Fire and Nectar

Devanagari script

आधारशक्त्यैव धृतः कालाग्निरयमूर्ध्वगः । तथैव निम्नगः सोमश्शिवशक्तिपदास्पदः

Transliteration

ādhāraśaktyaiva dhṛtaḥ kālāgnirayamūrdhvagaḥ | tathaiva nimnagaḥ somaśśivaśaktipadāspadaḥ

Translation

Das aufwärts strebende Zeit-Feuer (kālāgni) wird allein von der Ādhāra-Śakti, der tragenden Kraft, gehalten. Ebenso ist der abwärts fließende Soma der Grund und Sitz von Śivas Śakti, wo das Prinzip Śiva–Śakti sich festsetzt.

Word by Word

• आधारशक्त्या: by the supporting power
• आधारशक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आधारशक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः आधार-शक्ति (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय

• धृतः: is held/supported
• धृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, पुल्लिङ्ग, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘धृतः’ = ‘is held/supported’

• कालाग्निः: the fire of time (cosmic fire)
• कालाग्निः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः काल-अग्नि (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ऊर्ध्वगः: moving upward
• ऊर्ध्वगः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व + ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः ऊर्ध्व-ग (उपपद-तत्पुरुषः)

• तथा: thus/so
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय

• निम्नगः: moving downward
• निम्नगः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्न + ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः निम्न-ग (उपपद-तत्पुरुषः)

• सोमः: Soma (moon/nectar)
• सोमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शिवशक्तिपदास्पदः: having the abode at the feet of Śiva-Śakti
• शिवशक्तिपदास्पदः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + शक्ति + पद + आस्पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः शिव-शक्ति-पद-आस्पद (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; ‘शिवशक्तेः पदम्’ इति, तस्य आस्पदः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti
• Soma

FAQs

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

It presents a Shaiva metaphysics where cosmic processes (the upward, consuming fire of time and the downward, cooling Soma) operate only through Śakti, affirming that liberation is attained by recognizing Śiva as the supreme Pati and Śakti as His inseparable power governing all experience.

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

Linga worship centers on Śiva as the transcendent-support (ādhāra) and immanent power (śakti). This verse mirrors that doctrine: the universe’s opposing forces are steadied by Śakti and find their ground in Śiva-Śakti, encouraging devotees to see the Linga as the stable seat of that divine union.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to inner yoga: steady the upward fire (discipline, japa of the Panchakshara) and cultivate the cooling Soma-like grace (devotion and purity), while contemplating Śiva-Śakti as the support within; applying Tripundra (bhasma) and mantra-japa can be taken as outward aids to this inward balance.