Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42

पशु-पाश-पतिविचारः / Inquiry into Paśu, Pāśa, and Pati

Devanagari script

द्वे अक्षरे ब्रह्मपरे त्वनंते समुदाहृते । विद्याविद्ये समाख्याते निहिते यत्र गूढवत्

Transliteration

dve akṣare brahmapare tvanaṃte samudāhṛte | vidyāvidye samākhyāte nihite yatra gūḍhavat

Translation

ณ ที่นั้น มีการประกาศถึงพยางค์สองพยางค์ว่าเป็นพรหมันสูงสุด—ไร้ที่สุดและไร้ขอบเขต ในพยางค์นั้นเอง ทั้ง ‘วิทยา’ และ ‘อวิทยา’ ถูกเรียกขานและซ่อนเร้นไว้ดุจอยู่ในสถานที่ลับ

Word by Word

• dve: two
• dve: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); agrees with akṣare

• akṣare: syllables/imperishable letters
• akṣare: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akṣara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• brahma-pare: supreme (as Brahman)
• brahma-pare: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahman + para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष) 'brahmaṇaḥ pare' = 'supreme with respect to Brahman'; Feminine, Nominative, Dual; qualifies akṣare

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adversative/contrast particle (विरोध-निपात)

• anante: in the Infinite (Ananta)
• anante: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ananta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी), Singular; 'in/with reference to the Infinite'

• samudāhṛte: are declared/uttered
• samudāhṛte: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ud-ā-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter/Feminine, Nominative, Dual; agrees with akṣare; 'are uttered/declared'

• vidyā: knowledge
• vidyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular (as member of dual sense)

• avidye: ignorance
• avidye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avidyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Dual (द्विवचन) OR Nominative singular in Vedic-style pairing; here intended as dual pair with vidyā: 'vidyā (and) avidyā'

• samākhyāte: are named/called
• samākhyāte: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√khyā (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative, Dual; agrees with (vidyā, avidyā)

• nihite: are placed/laid
• nihite: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative, Dual; 'placed/hidden' referring to the two

• yatra: wherein
• yatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Relative adverb (देशवाचक-अव्यय)

• gūḍhavat: as if hidden
• gūḍhavat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: gūḍha + vat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial -vat (वत्-प्रत्ययान्त) meaning 'as if hidden' (उपमा-अव्ययवत् प्रयोग)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahman

FAQs

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

It teaches that the supreme, infinite Reality can be indicated through mantra-syllables, within which both liberating knowledge (vidyā) and binding ignorance (avidyā) are mysteriously present—signaling that the same spiritual power can free or bind depending on understanding and grace.

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

In Shaiva practice, the Linga and mantra are concrete supports for approaching the limitless (ananta) Brahman as Shiva. The verse implies that the Infinite is accessible through sacred sound and symbol, yet remains subtle and ‘hidden’ without right insight and devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplative japa of a Shaiva mantra with correct meaning—paired with inner inquiry into vidyā versus avidyā—is suggested; in temple or home worship this is commonly supported by Linga-pūjā with bhakti and steady meditation.