Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 5
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
बृहत्त्वाद्बृहणत्वाद्वा ब्रह्म चेत्यभिधीयते । उभे ते ब्रह्मणो रूपे ब्रह्मणो ऽधिपतेः प्रभोः
bṛhattvādbṛhaṇatvādvā brahma cetyabhidhīyate | ubhe te brahmaṇo rūpe brahmaṇo 'dhipateḥ prabhoḥ
विस्तार (बृहत्त्व) के कारण अथवा सबको बढ़ाने-फैलाने की शक्ति (बृहणत्व) के कारण उसे ‘ब्रह्म’ कहा जाता है। ये दोनों ब्रह्म के ही रूप हैं—उस प्रभु के, जो ब्रह्म का भी अधिपति है।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse defines “Brahman” as limitless vastness and as the power that expands and sustains all, then places Shiva as the supreme Lord (Pati) who presides even over Brahman—affirming Shiva’s transcendence and sovereignty in the Vayu Samhita’s Shaiva metaphysics.
By teaching that the Absolute has knowable aspects (rūpa) such as vastness and creative expansion, the text supports approaching the Supreme through accessible manifestations—classically expressed in Shaiva practice as worship of Shiva in the Linga (Saguna support) while realizing His transcendence beyond all forms.
A practical takeaway is Brahma-bhāvanā centered on Shiva: meditate on Shiva as the boundless (bṛhat) and as the inner expander/sustainer (bṛhaṇa), supported by japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to align the mind with the Supreme Pati.