Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 27
पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge
Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati
विश्वम्भरा जगन्नित्यं धत्ते विश्वेश्वराज्ञया । देवान्पात्यसुरान् हंति त्रिलोकमभिरक्षति
viśvambharā jagannityaṃ dhatte viśveśvarājñayā | devānpātyasurān haṃti trilokamabhirakṣati
विश्वेश्वर शिवाच्या आज्ञेने विश्वधारिणी दिव्य शक्ती नित्य जगत् धारण करते। ती देवांचे रक्षण करते, असुरांचा संहार करते आणि त्रिलोकीचे संरक्षण करते।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The verse names Viśveśvara as the commanding Lord; this title is classically associated with Kāśī Viśvanātha, where Śiva is revered as the sovereign of the universe and granter of liberation through His grace.
Significance: Darśana of Viśvanātha is traditionally linked with mokṣa-prāpti in Kāśī; the verse’s emphasis on protection/destruction aligns with seeking refuge in Śiva-Śakti for worldly and spiritual safeguarding.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: protective
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It presents Shiva (Viśveśvara) as the supreme governor (Pati) whose will is executed through the all-supporting Śakti, maintaining dharma by sustaining the cosmos, protecting the devas, and restraining adharma.
The Linga signifies Viśveśvara as the cosmic Lord beyond limitation, while Saguna worship contemplates his active lordship—his command upholding the worlds through Śakti, granting protection and order.
Meditate on Shiva as Viśveśvara with japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudraksha as symbols of surrender to his ordinance and seeking protection of dharma.