Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3

शिवतत्त्वे परापरभावविचारः

Inquiry into Śiva’s Principle and the Parā–Aparā Paradox

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मादयो ऽपि लोकानां सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तहेतवः । निग्रहानुग्रहौ प्राप्य शिवस्य वशवर्तिनः

Transliteration

brahmādayo 'pi lokānāṃ sṛṣṭisthityantahetavaḥ | nigrahānugrahau prāpya śivasya vaśavartinaḥ

Translation

Même Brahmā et les autres souverains cosmiques—causes instrumentales de la création, du maintien et de la dissolution des mondes—n’agissent qu’après avoir reçu de Śiva sa retenue et sa grâce; ainsi demeurent-ils sous la seule gouvernance de Śiva.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मादयः: Brahmā and others
• ब्रह्मादयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (ब्रह्मा आदिः येषाम्)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (also/even)

• लोकानाम्: of the worlds
• लोकानाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तहेतवः: causes of creation, maintenance, and dissolution
• सृष्टिस्थित्यन्तहेतवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृष्टि-स्थिति-अन्त-हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (सृष्टेः स्थितेः अन्तस्य हेतवः)

• निग्रहानुग्रहौ: restraint and grace
• निग्रहानुग्रहौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निग्रह-अनुग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (निग्रहः च अनुग्रहः च)

• प्राप्य: having obtained
• प्राप्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): having obtained

• शिवस्य: of Śiva
• शिवस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• वशवर्तिनः: subject to (his) control
• वशवर्तिनः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वश-वर्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (वशे वर्तन्ते इति)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It establishes Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord): even the highest deities who administer cosmic processes do so only through Śiva’s anugraha (grace) and nigraha (restraint), emphasizing dependence on divine grace for order and liberation.

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

The Liṅga signifies Śiva’s supreme, all-governing reality; worship of Saguna Śiva through the Liṅga is devotion to the very source who empowers Brahmā and all cosmic functions, making Liṅga-pūjā a direct alignment with the highest authority.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice humble surrender (śaraṇāgati) with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—contemplating Śiva as the giver of anugraha; optionally apply tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder that all powers culminate in Śiva.