Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 54
शिवशक्त्यैक्य-तत्त्वविचारः / Inquiry into the Unity of Śiva and Śakti
Para–Apara Ontology
शंकरः पुरुषास्सर्वे स्त्रियस्सर्वा महेश्वरी । सर्वे स्त्रीपुरुषास्तस्मात्तयोरेव विभूतयः
śaṃkaraḥ puruṣāssarve striyassarvā maheśvarī | sarve strīpuruṣāstasmāttayoreva vibhūtayaḥ
Tous les hommes sont Śaṅkara (Śiva) et toutes les femmes sont Maheśvarī (Śakti). Ainsi, tout être—homme ou femme—est véritablement une manifestation (vibhūti) de ces Deux.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara
Sthala Purana: A universalizing doctrinal statement rather than a site-myth: all males participate in Śiva-nature and all females in Maheśvarī-nature; all beings are vibhūtis of the divine dyad.
Significance: Supports a ‘darśana’ of the world as Śiva-Śakti pervaded, encouraging reverence toward all beings as embodiments of the Lord and His Power.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches the Shiva–Shakti vision: the entire world of persons is to be regarded as the Lord (Śiva) and His Power (Maheśvarī), cultivating reverence, purity of perception, and devotion that leads the soul (paśu) toward grace and liberation.
While the Liṅga is a focused saguna symbol for worship, this verse expands that worship into daily life—seeing every male and female as a vibhūti (expression) of Śiva–Śakti, so external pūjā matures into constant inner remembrance (smaraṇa) of the Lord.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhāvanā that all beings are pervaded by Śiva–Śakti, supporting ahimsā, respect, and a meditative, worshipful outlook in everyday interactions.