Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 52
पशु-पाश-पतिविचारः / Inquiry into Paśu, Pāśa, and Pati
अष्टाभिश्च त्रिभिश्चैवं द्वाभ्यां चैकेन वा पुनः । कालेनात्मगुणैश्चापि कृत्स्नमेव जगत्स्वयम्
aṣṭābhiśca tribhiścaivaṃ dvābhyāṃ caikena vā punaḥ | kālenātmaguṇaiścāpi kṛtsnameva jagatsvayam
Par huit, par trois, de même par deux, ou encore par un; et aussi par le Temps et par Ses propres puissances inhérentes, le Seigneur Lui-même, de Son seul vouloir, devient l’univers tout entier dans sa plénitude.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: emanational ordering of the cosmos via multiple enumerations (8/3/2/1)
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva, the Pati (Supreme Lord), manifests the entire cosmos through ordered principles—unity and multiplicity—governed by Kāla and His śakti, while remaining the sovereign source beyond bondage.
The verse supports Saguna worship by affirming that the One Lord truly pervades and appears as the world; the Linga is revered as that same all-pervading Shiva made accessible for contemplation and devotion.
Meditate on Shiva as both the One and the many—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady awareness of Kāla, offering the changing universe into the unchanging Lord.