Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
केचिच्ज्ञेयमिति प्राहुरज्ञेयमिति केचन । परमेके तमेवाहुरपरं च तथा परे
kecicjñeyamiti prāhurajñeyamiti kecana | parameke tamevāhuraparaṃ ca tathā pare
Some declare the Supreme to be knowable; others say He is unknowable. Some speak of Him as the highest Reality alone, while others again describe Him also as the lower (manifest) principle.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya philosophical teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It reconciles differing views about Shiva by indicating that the Supreme can be spoken of as both transcendent (beyond thought) and also accessible through manifestation—supporting a Shaiva Siddhanta-style understanding of Pati as beyond yet graciously knowable through His revelation.
It implies that while Shiva’s highest nature is beyond full conceptual grasp, devotees approach Him through the ‘apara’—His manifest signs and forms such as the Shiva Linga, names, and attributes—without denying His supreme transcendence.
Meditate on Shiva as both Nirguna and Saguna—worship the Linga with mantra (especially the Panchakshara, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) while inwardly contemplating the Supreme as beyond words and mind.