Shloka 21

शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti

Devanagari script

न हि शक्तिमतश्शक्त्या विप्रयोगो ऽस्ति जातुचित् । तस्माच्छक्तेः शक्तिमतस्तादात्म्यान्निर्वृतिर्द्वयोः

Transliteration

na hi śaktimataśśaktyā viprayogo 'sti jātucit | tasmācchakteḥ śaktimatastādātmyānnirvṛtirdvayoḥ

Translation

There is never, at any time, a separation between the Possessor of Power (Śaktimān—Śiva) and His Power (Śakti). Therefore, because Śakti and the Powerful One are of one essence, the fulfilled repose and liberation of both is established in that very non-difference.

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/हेतु-निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• शक्तिमतः: of the possessor of power (Śiva)
• शक्तिमतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्तिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• शक्त्या: from/with Śakti (power)
• शक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• विप्रयोगः: separation/disjunction
• विप्रयोगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्रयोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• अस्ति: is/exists
• अस्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• जातुचित्: ever/at any time
• जातुचित्: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: जातु + चित् (अव्यय-समुच्चय)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverb) = 'at any time/ever'

• तस्मात्: therefore/from that
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन

• शक्तेः: of Śakti
• शक्तेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• शक्तिमतः: of the powerful one
• शक्तिमतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्तिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• तादात्म्यात्: from identity/oneness
• तादात्म्यात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तादात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/हेतु), एकवचन

• निर्वृतिः: cessation/blissful repose
• निर्वृतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्वृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• द्वयोः: of the two (Śiva and Śakti)
• द्वयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), द्विवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Lalitā

Role: creative

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva (Śaktimān) and Śakti are inseparable and of one essence; realizing this non-separation is presented as the ground of nirvṛti—inner completion and liberation.

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

In Linga worship, the devotee honors Śiva together with His inherent Śakti—consciousness with its power of grace—so the Saguna form is not separate from the supreme reality but a doorway to recognizing their essential oneness.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Śiva with Śakti as non-different while repeating the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and offer worship with the attitude that the Lord and His power of grace are never divided.