Shloka 12

विष्णुचक्रलाभो नाम (अर्धनारीश्वर-तत्त्वं, सती-पार्वती-सम्भवः, दक्षयज्ञविनाशः)

Devanagari script

विभजस्वेति विश्वेशं विश्वात्मानमजो विभुः ससर्ज देवीं वामाङ्गात् पत्नीं चैवात्मनः समाम्

Transliteration

vibhajasveti viśveśaṃ viśvātmānamajo vibhuḥ sasarja devīṃ vāmāṅgāt patnīṃ caivātmanaḥ samām

Translation

Then that unborn, all-pervading Lord—Shiva, the Lord of the universe and the Self of all—willed, “Let there be division,” and from His left side He manifested the Goddess, creating her as His consort, equal to His own being.

Word by Word

• विभजस्व (vibhajasva): ‘be divided / let division occur’

• इति (iti): thus

• विश्वेशम् (viśveśam): the Lord of the universe

• विश्वात्मानम् (viśvātmānam): the Self of the universe, inner Self of all

• अजः (ajaḥ): unborn

• विभुः (vibhuḥ): all-pervading, sovereign

• ससर्ज (sasarja): created, manifested

• देवीम् (devīm): the Goddess (Shakti/Uma)

• वामाङ्गात् (vāmāṅgāt): from the left side/left limb

• पत्नीम् (patnīm): wife, consort

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ): of Himself

• समाम् (samām): equal, of the same measure/nature

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana; describing the cosmic manifestation)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Devi (Shakti/Parvati)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It grounds Linga worship in Shiva-tattva: the Linga signifies Pati (Shiva) who manifests Shakti from Himself; worship honors the inseparable Shiva–Shakti unity behind creation.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is portrayed as Viśveśa and Viśvātmā—unborn (aja) and all-pervading (vibhu). Creation occurs by His sovereign will, not by limitation, showing Pati’s transcendence and immanence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies the contemplative core of Shaiva/Pashupata sadhana: meditate on Shiva as Pati with Shakti as His intrinsic power—an inner upasana supporting Linga-puja and non-dual Shiva–Shakti awareness.