Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 28

पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge

Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati

Devanagari script

आज्ञया तस्य देवेन्द्रः सर्वैर्देवैरलंघ्यया । आधिपत्यमपां नित्यं कुरुते वरुणस्सदा

Transliteration

ājñayā tasya devendraḥ sarvairdevairalaṃghyayā | ādhipatyamapāṃ nityaṃ kurute varuṇassadā

Translation

Auf Sein Geheiß – das selbst für alle Götter unwiderstehlich ist – übt Varuṇa, der Herr unter den Devas, beständig die ewige Herrschaft über die Wasser aus.

Word by Word

• ājñayā: by the command
• ājñayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• devendraḥ: Indra, lord of the gods
• devendraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘devānām indraḥ’

• sarvaiḥ: by all
• sarvaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with devaiḥ

• devaiḥ: by the gods
• devaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• alaṃghyayā: untransgressable
• alaṃghyayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-laṃghya (प्रातिपदिक; from laṅgh ‘to overstep’)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies ājñayā

• ādhipatyam: sovereignty/lordship
• ādhipatyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādhipatya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• apām: of the waters
• apām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (आप्/अप् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverbial usage (क्रियाविशेषण)

• kurute: exercises/holds (does)
• kurute: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, Present), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• varuṇaḥ: Varuṇa
• varuṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (कालवाचक)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; it asserts that even Varuṇa’s sovereignty over waters is delegated and maintained by Śiva’s irresistible command (ājñā), reinforcing Śiva as the supreme overlord of all deities.

Significance: Encourages surrender (śaraṇāgati) to Śiva as the ultimate authority beyond the deva-hierarchy; supports the Siddhānta view that other deities are functional offices under Pati.

Characters & Entities

• Varuna
• Devas
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It affirms Shaiva Siddhanta’s view of Pati (Shiva) as the supreme governor: even the deities’ powers and jurisdictions function only through His untransgressable command, pointing the devotee toward surrender and recognition of Shiva’s ultimate sovereignty.

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

The verse highlights Shiva as the Lord who authorizes all cosmic functions; worship of the Shiva-Linga (Saguna focus for devotion) trains the mind to revere that supreme authority behind every deity and element, culminating in steadiness of bhakti and right understanding.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the attitude of obedience and surrender to Shiva’s ājñā, supported by simple Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of His lordship.