Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3

अर्धनारीश्वरप्रादुर्भावः

Manifestation of Ardhanārīśvara and the Impulse for Procreative Creation

Devanagari script

ततस्स विदधे बुद्धिमर्थनिश्चयगामिनीम् । प्रजानमेव वृद्ध्यर्थं प्रष्टव्यः परमेश्वर

Transliteration

tatassa vidadhe buddhimarthaniścayagāminīm | prajānameva vṛddhyarthaṃ praṣṭavyaḥ parameśvara

Translation

Alors il forma une intelligence pénétrante, qui mène à la certitude de la vérité. Pour le bien et l’accroissement des êtres, il faut s’approcher de Parameśvara (Śiva) et l’interroger.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: “then/from that”)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• विदधे: arranged/formed
• विदधे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (विदधे)

• बुद्धिम्: intellect
• बुद्धिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• अर्थनिश्चयगामिनीम्: leading to decisive understanding
• अर्थनिश्चयगामिनीम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्थ + निश्चय + गामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (of बुद्धिम्); समास: अर्थनिश्चयगामिनी = “leading to determination of meaning/purpose”

• प्रजानम्: the progeny/creatures
• प्रजानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (particle of emphasis: “indeed/only”)

• वृद्ध्यर्थम्: for (their) increase
• वृद्ध्यर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्धि + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थक (accusative of purpose: “for the sake of growth”)

• प्रष्टव्यः: should be asked
• प्रष्टव्यः: Vidhi (विधि/आवश्यकता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + शस्/शृ (धातु) → प्रष्टव्य (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligative), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; “to be asked/should be asked”

• परमेश्वर: O Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; समास: परमेश्वर = “Supreme Lord”

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that true discernment (buddhi) culminates in certainty about reality, and that for the uplift of all beings one should turn to Parameśvara (Śiva) as the highest source of guidance—Pati who removes bondage through right knowledge and grace.

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

“Questioning Parameśvara” is practically fulfilled by approaching Śiva in worship—often through the Linga as Saguna support—seeking clear understanding of dharma, devotion, and liberation, which then matures into knowledge of Śiva’s supreme nature.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse implies inquiry grounded in devotion: approach Śiva with prayer and contemplation, and support that inquiry with mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady meditation on Śiva as the inner teacher.