Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 27

पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge

Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati

Devanagari script

विश्वम्भरा जगन्नित्यं धत्ते विश्वेश्वराज्ञया । देवान्पात्यसुरान् हंति त्रिलोकमभिरक्षति

Transliteration

viśvambharā jagannityaṃ dhatte viśveśvarājñayā | devānpātyasurān haṃti trilokamabhirakṣati

Translation

Atas perintah Viśveśvara (Tuhan Śiva, Tuhan alam semesta), Kuasa Ilahi yang menyokong segalanya sentiasa memelihara kosmos; dia melindungi para dewa, membinasakan asura, dan menjaga tiga alam.

Word by Word

• viśvambharā: Viśvambharā (world-supporting power)
• viśvambharā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvambharā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• jagat: the world
• jagat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverbial usage (क्रियाविशेषण)

• dhatte: supports/bears
• dhatte: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dhā (धा धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• viśveśvara-ājñayā: by the command of the Lord of the universe
• viśveśvara-ājñayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक) + ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘viśveśvarasya ājñā’ → ‘viśveśvarājñā’

• devān: the gods
• devān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pāti: protects
• pāti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pā (पा धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• asurān: the asuras
• asurān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• hanti: kills/destroys
• hanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (हन् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• tri-lokam: the three worlds
• tri-lokam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); द्विगु-समास: ‘trayo lokāḥ’ → ‘triloka’

• abhirakṣati: protects completely
• abhirakṣati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-rakṣ (अभि+रक्ष् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, Present), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

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.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: protective

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti
• Devas
• Asuras
• Triloka

FAQs

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

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.

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

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.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

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.