Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
षडध्ववेदनम् (Ṣaḍadhva-vedanam) — The Sixfold Path: Sound, Meaning, and Tattva-Distribution
वायुरुवाच । निवेदयामि जगतो वागर्थात्म्यं कृतं यथा । षडध्ववेदनं सम्यक्समासान्न तु विस्तरात्
vāyuruvāca | nivedayāmi jagato vāgarthātmyaṃ kṛtaṃ yathā | ṣaḍadhvavedanaṃ samyaksamāsānna tu vistarāt
Vāyu dit : «Je déclarerai comment l’univers est constitué comme l’unité de la parole et du sens. J’exposerai avec justesse la connaissance des six voies (ṣaḍ-adhvan) en un résumé concis, plutôt qu’en un long développement.»
Vayu
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It introduces a Shaiva philosophical teaching: the cosmos can be understood through the inseparable unity of sacred sound (vāk/mantra) and its meaning (artha), and liberation-oriented knowledge is presented through the framework of the sixfold paths (ṣaḍadhvan).
In Shaiva Siddhanta, Saguna worship (such as Linga worship) is supported by mantra and right understanding—sound and meaning together. The verse signals that Vāyu will explain the doctrinal map (ṣaḍadhvan) that connects ritual/mantra practice to realization of Shiva as Pati (the Lord).
The verse points to mantra-based contemplation: hold the mantra (word) together with its intended Shiva-tattva meaning (artha), using concise doctrinal study as a support for japa and meditation rather than mere intellectual विस्तार (elaboration).