Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42
मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence
Tapas-abode
माता त्वमस्य जगतः पिताहमधिपस्तथा । कथं तदुत्पपद्येत त्वत्तो नाभिरतिर्मम
mātā tvamasya jagataḥ pitāhamadhipastathā | kathaṃ tadutpapadyeta tvatto nābhiratirmama
നീ ഈ ജഗത്തിന്റെ മാതാവ്; ഞാൻ പിതാവും അധിപതിയും കൂടിയാണ്. അപ്പോൾ നിന്നോടു എനിക്ക് അഭിരതി—ആനന്ദമയ ആസക്തി—ഇല്ലാതിരിക്കുക എങ്ങനെ സാധ്യം?
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Oṃkāreśvara
Sthala Purana: Śiva is praised as the sovereign source; the verse’s mother-father polarity resonates with the Oṃkāra symbolism of unified Śiva-Śakti generating the cosmos (a thematic, not direct, sthala link).
Significance: Contemplation of Śiva as jagat-pitā and Śakti as jagan-mātā supports householders’ dharma and devotion, harmonizing worldly life with liberation-seeking.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: creative
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It affirms the inseparable unity of Shiva (Pati, the Lord) and Shakti (the cosmic Mother). From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, creation and grace flow through this divine harmony; hence Shiva declares that non-delight in the Goddess is impossible.
The Linga represents Shiva as the transcendent Lord while also implying Shakti as His manifest power. This verse supports Saguna worship by showing Shiva’s relational, gracious aspect—devotees approach the Linga with devotion that honors both Shiva and the Goddess’s presence.
Contemplate Shiva-Shakti unity while chanting the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering bilva leaves to the Linga, and mentally honoring the Goddess as the Mother of the universe alongside Shiva as the supreme Lord.