Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9
शिवस्य विश्वव्याप्तिः—अष्टमूर्तिः पञ्चब्रह्म च | Śiva’s Cosmic Pervasion: Aṣṭamūrti and the Pañcabrahma Forms
वामदेवाह्वयां मूर्तिं महादेवस्य वेधसः । अहंकृतेरधिष्ठात्रीमाहुरागमवेदिनः । सद्यो जाताह्वयां मूर्तिं शम्भोरमितवर्चसः । मानसः समधिष्ठात्रीं मतिमंतः प्रचक्षते
vāmadevāhvayāṃ mūrtiṃ mahādevasya vedhasaḥ | ahaṃkṛteradhiṣṭhātrīmāhurāgamavedinaḥ | sadyo jātāhvayāṃ mūrtiṃ śambhoramitavarcasaḥ | mānasaḥ samadhiṣṭhātrīṃ matimaṃtaḥ pracakṣate
Those who know the Āgamas declare that Mahādeva’s form called Vāmadeva presides over the principle of egoity (ahaṃkāra). The wise also proclaim that Śambhu of immeasurable splendor—through His form named Sadyojāta—presides over the mind (manas).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vāmadeva
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that the inner instruments—ego (ahaṃkāra) and mind (manas)—are not independent; they function under Śiva’s lordship. In Shaiva Siddhanta this supports the view that Pati (Śiva) alone can regulate and purify the pashu’s inner faculties, enabling liberation.
The verse points to Saguna Śiva worship through specific divine forms (Vāmadeva and Sadyojāta). Linga worship and Āgamic pūjā are means to approach these manifestations, surrender the ego, steady the mind, and recognize Śiva as the inner ruler of all faculties.
Meditate in japa on the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while observing the rise of ego and the movements of mind, offering both into Śiva. In Āgamic practice, one may also contemplate the Panchabrahma forms during Linga pūjā to cultivate mental steadiness and ego-transcendence.