Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11
अग्नीषोमात्मकविश्ववर्णनम् / The Universe as Agni–Soma
Fire and Nectar
आधारशक्त्यैव धृतः कालाग्निरयमूर्ध्वगः । तथैव निम्नगः सोमश्शिवशक्तिपदास्पदः
ādhāraśaktyaiva dhṛtaḥ kālāgnirayamūrdhvagaḥ | tathaiva nimnagaḥ somaśśivaśaktipadāspadaḥ
Le Feu du Temps (kālāgni), qui s’élève, n’est soutenu que par l’Ādhāra-Śakti, la Puissance de soutien. De même, le Soma qui descend est le sol et le siège mêmes de la Śakti de Śiva, où s’établit le principe Śiva-Śakti.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It presents a Shaiva metaphysics where cosmic processes (the upward, consuming fire of time and the downward, cooling Soma) operate only through Śakti, affirming that liberation is attained by recognizing Śiva as the supreme Pati and Śakti as His inseparable power governing all experience.
Linga worship centers on Śiva as the transcendent-support (ādhāra) and immanent power (śakti). This verse mirrors that doctrine: the universe’s opposing forces are steadied by Śakti and find their ground in Śiva-Śakti, encouraging devotees to see the Linga as the stable seat of that divine union.
It points to inner yoga: steady the upward fire (discipline, japa of the Panchakshara) and cultivate the cooling Soma-like grace (devotion and purity), while contemplating Śiva-Śakti as the support within; applying Tripundra (bhasma) and mantra-japa can be taken as outward aids to this inward balance.