Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 25
भद्रस्य देवसंघेषु विक्रमः
Bhadra’s Onslaught among the Deva Hosts
अरिष्टनेमिने सोमं धर्मं चैव प्रजापतिम् । बहुपुत्रं चांगिरसं कृशाश्वं कश्यपं तथा
ariṣṭanemine somaṃ dharmaṃ caiva prajāpatim | bahuputraṃ cāṃgirasaṃ kṛśāśvaṃ kaśyapaṃ tathā
Kepada Ariṣṭanemi, (baginda) menetapkan/menyerahkan Soma, Dharma dan juga Prajāpati; demikian pula Bahuputra, keturunan Aṅgiras, serta Kṛśāśva dan Kaśyapa.
Suta Goswami
FAQs
This verse functions as a Purāṇic mapping of cosmic administration—naming deities and sages linked with Dharma and progeny—implying that worldly order is sustained through appointed powers, while the Shaiva Siddhanta lens places Shiva (Pati) as the ultimate source and regulator behind these functions.
Though the verse is genealogical, its theological backdrop in the Vāyavīya tradition supports Saguna Shiva as the overseer of all offices (Soma, Dharma, Prajāpati). Linga-worship centers the devotee on the one Lord who transcends and empowers these named cosmic roles.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate Dharma alongside Shiva-bhakti: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with a sattvic life, offering water to the Shiva-linga (optionally with bilva leaves) as a discipline that harmonizes personal conduct with cosmic order.