Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

दर्शनेषु च सर्वेषु मतिभेदः प्रदर्श्यते । परं वेदान्तिनो नित्यमद्वैतं प्रतिचक्षते

Transliteration

darśaneṣu ca sarveṣu matibhedaḥ pradarśyate | paraṃ vedāntino nityamadvaitaṃ praticakṣate

Translation

Among all philosophical systems, differences of opinion are indeed displayed; yet the Vedāntins constantly proclaim the supreme reality to be non-dual (advaita).

Word by Word

• दर्शनेषु: in the philosophies; in the systems
• दर्शनेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति; बहुवचन (Locative Plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• सर्वेषु: in all
• सर्वेषु: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; सप्तमी विभक्ति; बहुवचन (Locative Plural); विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘दर्शनेषु’)

• मतिभेदः: difference of opinions
• मतिभेदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक) + भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative) ‘मतेः भेदः’; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; एकवचन (Nominative Singular)

• प्रदर्श्यते: is shown; is manifested
• प्रदर्श्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive); आत्मनेपद (3rd sg)

• परम्: however; but
• परम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverbial accusative) ‘but/however’

• वेदान्तिनः: Vedāntins
• वेदान्तिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदान्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन (Nominative Plural)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverbial accusative) ‘always’

• अद्वैतम्: non-duality
• अद्वैतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अद्वैत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन (Accusative Singular)

• प्रतिचक्षते: declare; affirm
• प्रतिचक्षते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present); प्रथमपुरुष; बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद (3rd pl Ātmanepada)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It highlights that many philosophies debate and diverge, but the highest aim is to recognize the one Supreme Reality—understood in Shaiva reading as Shiva (Pati)—as the ultimate truth beyond mere intellectual disagreement.

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

Even when the Supreme is taught as non-dual, devotees approach that same Reality through accessible sacred forms—such as the Jyotirliṅga—where Saguna worship purifies the mind and leads toward realization of the highest truth.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady contemplation of the One Supreme through Shiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) along with disciplined pilgrimage or worship—so that debate gives way to direct spiritual insight.