Shloka 24
Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra
Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms
एवं सर्वशरीरेषु स्त्रीपुंभावविदो जनाः । परमात्मन्यपि मुने स्त्रीपुंभावं विदुर्बुधा
evaṃ sarvaśarīreṣu strīpuṃbhāvavido janāḥ | paramātmanyapi mune strīpuṃbhāvaṃ vidurbudhā
Thus, among all embodied beings, people who discern the feminine and masculine conditions likewise—O sage—recognize even in the Supreme Self the powers of “female” and “male,” as the wise understand.
Lord Shiva (teaching a sage in the Kailasha Saṃhitā’s philosophical context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara
FAQs
It teaches that the wise perceive the masculine and feminine principles not merely as bodily gender, but as universal powers (Śiva–Śakti) present even in the Supreme Reality, indicating wholeness beyond ordinary duality.
The Liṅga symbolizes the Supreme beyond form while also indicating Śiva united with Śakti; this verse supports that Saguna worship can legitimately contemplate the paired divine energies within the one Paramātman.
Meditate on the unity of Śiva and Śakti while chanting the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), seeing the Self as beyond bodily identity yet empowered by divine consciousness and energy.