Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2
अग्नीषोमात्मकविश्ववर्णनम् / The Universe as Agni–Soma
Fire and Nectar
आज्ञैकसारमैश्वर्यमाज्ञा त्वमिति चोदितम् । तदिदं श्रोतुमिच्छामो यथावदनुपूर्वशः
ājñaikasāramaiśvaryamājñā tvamiti coditam | tadidaṃ śrotumicchāmo yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ
You have declared that the Lord’s sovereign power is, in essence, nothing but Command, and that “you are that Command” itself. Therefore we wish to hear this plainly, correctly, and in proper sequence.
Sages at Naimisharanya (addressing Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Frames Śiva’s aiśvarya as ājñā (sovereign ordinance): pilgrims and practitioners interpret temple discipline, vrata, and guru-upadeśa as participation in the Lord’s command leading toward grace (anugraha).
Mantra: ājñā tvam
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames Shiva’s supreme lordship (aiśvarya) as His sovereign ordinance (ājñā): the divine power by which bondage and liberation are governed, and it asks for a systematic explanation of that principle.
By emphasizing Shiva’s ruling ordinance, it supports Saguna worship (such as Linga-puja) as obedience and alignment with Shiva’s will—devotion becomes living in accord with His ājñā, not merely external ritual.
The takeaway is disciplined śravaṇa (listening) and sequential contemplation: receive the teaching in order, then internalize it as a yogic practice of aligning one’s conduct and mantra-japa with Shiva’s ordinance.