Shloka 21

Śiva-jñāna and the Non-dual Vision of a Śiva-maya Universe (शिवज्ञानम्—सर्वं शिवमयम्)

Devanagari script

यथैकं चैव सूर्याख्यं ज्योतिर्नानाविधं जनैः । जलादौ च विशेषेण दृश्यते तत्तथैव सः

Transliteration

yathaikaṃ caiva sūryākhyaṃ jyotirnānāvidhaṃ janaiḥ | jalādau ca viśeṣeṇa dṛśyate tattathaiva saḥ

Translation

Just as the one light called the Sun is perceived by people in many ways—especially as varied reflections in water and the like—so too He (Śiva), though one, is seen in diverse forms and appearances.

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकार-अव्यय (adverb: as/just as)

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed, only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• सूर्याख्यम्: called ‘sun’
• सूर्याख्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूर्य + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सूर्य-आख्य = ‘sun-named/called sun’)

• ज्योतिः: light, radiance
• ज्योतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नानाविधम्: of many kinds
• नानाविधम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (नाना-विध = ‘of many kinds’)

• जनैः: by people
• जनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• जलादौ: in water and the like
• जलादौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (जल-आदि = ‘water etc.’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• विशेषेण: especially
• विशेषेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे ‘विशेषेण’ = ‘especially’ (instrumental of manner)

• दृश्यते: is seen, appears
• दृश्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार-अव्यय (thus/in that manner)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय

• सः: he (that one)
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva is one Supreme Reality (Pati), yet devotees perceive and approach Him through many forms and experiences—like one sun appearing as many reflections—supporting unity behind devotional diversity.

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

The Jyotirliṅga is a focal ‘reflection’ of the one divine Light: worship of the Liṅga (saguṇa upāsanā) leads the mind toward the recognition of Śiva’s single, all-pervading nature beyond form (nirguṇa truth).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on the Liṅga as jyoti (inner light) while repeating the Pañcākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’, training the mind to see one Śiva in all appearances; simple lamp (dīpa) offering before the Liṅga aligns well with this teaching.