Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
Śiva’s Freedom from Bondage and His Cosmic Support (शिवस्य अबन्धत्वं तथा सर्वाधिष्ठानत्वम्)
नास्य बंधुरबंधुर्वा नियंता प्रेरको ऽपि वा । न पतिर्न गुरुस्त्राता नाधिको न समस्तथा
nāsya baṃdhurabaṃdhurvā niyaṃtā prerako 'pi vā | na patirna gurustrātā nādhiko na samastathā
彼にとって、親族も非親族もなく、彼の上に支配者も扇動者もない。主もなく、彼の師（グル）や守護者となる者もいない。彼より勝る者はなく—彼に等しい者もいない。
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s supreme, independent nature in the Vayu Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it asserts Śiva’s unsurpassed sovereignty (no superior/equal) and absolute independence (no controller/guru/protector over Him).
Significance: Strengthens īśvara-niṣṭhā: exclusive refuge in Śiva as the unsurpassed Lord, supporting surrender and steadiness in worship.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It declares Shiva as the Parama-Pati—absolutely independent, without any higher controller, teacher, or protector—establishing His unmatched supremacy and the devotee’s refuge in Him alone for liberation.
Though Shiva is described here in transcendent terms (beyond equals and superiors), devotees approach the same Supreme through Saguna forms—especially the Shiva Linga—as an accessible focus for devotion that leads toward realizing His nirguna sovereignty.
Take refuge in Shiva as the sole protector by steady japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and inward contemplation on His unsurpassed nature; this supports detachment from worldly dependence and strengthens bhakti.