Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 53
पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge
Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati
प्रजज्ज्वाल महावह्निः प्रचंडः पवनो ववौ । प्रवृद्धो ऽपांपतिर्यद्वत्प्रलये समुपस्थिते
prajajjvāla mahāvahniḥ pracaṃḍaḥ pavano vavau | pravṛddho 'pāṃpatiryadvatpralaye samupasthite
Ein gewaltiges Feuer loderte auf; ein heftiger Wind begann zu wehen. Und der Herr der Wasser erhob sich in anschwellender Macht – so wie es geschieht, wenn die Auflösung (Pralaya) naht.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: pralaya (dissolution) imagery invoked: fire, wind, swelling waters
FAQs
It highlights the approach of pralaya—fire, wind, and waters intensify—pointing to the impermanence of the cosmos and implying that only Shiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) remains the stable refuge beyond changing elements.
The verse contrasts unstable cosmic forces with the steadfast principle of Shiva; Linga-worship centers the devotee on that unshaken reality, the visible sign (liṅga) of the Lord who transcends creation, preservation, and dissolution.
Meditate on Shiva as the inner Lord beyond the elements while repeating the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to cultivate detachment from worldly flux and steadiness in devotion (bhakti) and discernment.