Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 15

षडध्ववेदनम् (Ṣaḍadhva-vedanam) — The Sixfold Path: Sound, Meaning, and Tattva-Distribution

Devanagari script

व्याप्तानि कारणैस्तत्त्वैरारब्धत्वादनेकशः । अंतरादुत्थितानीह भुवनानि तु कानिचित्

Transliteration

vyāptāni kāraṇaistattvairārabdhatvādanekaśaḥ | aṃtarādutthitānīha bhuvanāni tu kānicit

Translation

കാരണമൂല തത്ത്വങ്ങളാൽ വ്യാപ്തമായി, അവയുടെ ആരംഭ-പ്രേരണയാൽ പലവിധം പ്രവൃത്തിയായി, ഇവിടെ ചില ഭുവനങ്ങൾ അന്തരത്തിൽ നിന്നുയർന്ന് പ്രകടമാകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• vyāptāni: pervaded
• vyāptāni: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण/participial predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √vyāp (धातु) + vyāpta (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• kāraṇaiḥ: by causes
• kāraṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• tattvaiḥ: by principles
• tattvaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ārabdhatvāt: because of being initiated/undertaken
• ārabdhatvāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ārabdha (कृदन्त; √rabh/√rabdh (धातु)) + -tva (तद्धित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular); भाववाचक -त्व (state of being begun/undertaken)

• anekaśaḥ: in many ways
• anekaśaḥ: Kriya-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aneka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: शस्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (śas: distributive adverb), अर्थः—“अनेकशः” = in many ways/many times

• antarāt: from within
• antarāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: antara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-एकवचन-रूपेण अव्ययीभूत (ablatival adverb): नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; अर्थः—“अन्तरात्” = from within

• utthitāni: arisen/emerged
• utthitāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (धातु) + utthita (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past active participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• bhuvanāni: worlds
• bhuvanāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; contrast)

• kānicit: some
• kānicit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); अनिश्चित-प्रयोग (indefinite: some)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Shakti Dimension

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: emanation of certain worlds from the cosmic interior (antarāt utthāna)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It frames creation as a tattva-driven manifestation: worlds arise when causal principles begin functioning, implying that liberation comes from discerning Pati (Shiva) as distinct from the tattvas that constitute pasha (bondage) and its field of experience.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Since worlds and experiences emerge through tattvas, Saguna worship (such as Linga-upasana) provides a focused means to turn awareness from the shifting tattva-made cosmos toward Shiva as the transcendent Pati who pervades yet exceeds all causes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is tattva-viveka in meditation—contemplating that all perceived realms are products of causes—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to anchor the mind in Shiva beyond the causal chain.