Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 63
सर्गविभागवर्णनम्
Classification of Creation: the Nine Sargas and the Streams of Beings
यक्षाः पिशाचा गंधर्वास्तथैवाप्सरसां गणाः । नरकिन्नररक्षांसि वयःपशुमृगोरगाः । अव्ययं चैव यदिदं स्थाणुस्थावरजंगमम् । तेषां वै यानि कर्माणि प्राक्सृष्टानि प्रपेदिरे
yakṣāḥ piśācā gaṃdharvāstathaivāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ | narakinnararakṣāṃsi vayaḥpaśumṛgoragāḥ | avyayaṃ caiva yadidaṃ sthāṇusthāvarajaṃgamam | teṣāṃ vai yāni karmāṇi prāksṛṣṭāni prapedire
Yakṣa, Piśāca, Gandharva serta rombongan Apsara; manusia, Kinnara dan Rākṣasa; burung, ternakan, binatang liar dan ular—sesungguhnya seluruh ciptaan yang tidak binasa ini, sama ada yang tidak bergerak, yang tetap, atau yang bergerak—masing-masing memasuki perbuatan dan fungsi yang telah ditetapkan bagi mereka sejak awal penciptaan.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Cosmic Event: sṛṣṭi-sthiti continuum: beings enter pre-assigned karmic functions
FAQs
It teaches that all classes of beings move within a divinely established cosmic order: each life-form follows its allotted karma. From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, recognizing this order encourages humility and prompts the soul (paśu) to seek liberation by turning from bound action toward Shiva, the supreme Lord (Pati).
By showing that every being is bound to functions set at creation, the verse implies the need for a higher refuge beyond karma. Linga-worship is approached as surrender to Saguna Shiva—Pati—who governs creation and grants grace to transcend bondage (pāśa).
A practical takeaway is karma-offering: perform one’s duties while dedicating their fruits to Shiva through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Linga-upacāra, cultivating detachment and seeking Shiva’s anugraha (grace).