Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30

काम्यकर्मविभागः — Taxonomy of Kāmya (Desire-Motivated) Śaiva Rites

Devanagari script

तदूर्ध्वं शांत्यतीताख्यकलया परया तथा । पञ्चाध्वव्यापिनं साक्षात्कलापञ्चकविग्रहम्

Transliteration

tadūrdhvaṃ śāṃtyatītākhyakalayā parayā tathā | pañcādhvavyāpinaṃ sākṣātkalāpañcakavigraham

Translation

Higit pa roon, sa pamamagitan ng kataas-taasan at lampas-sa-lahat na kapangyarihang tinatawag na “Śāntyatītā,” tuwirang natatanto ang Panginoon na lumalaganap sa limang landas ng pagpapahayag—Siya na ang mismong anyo ay ang limang kalā, ang limang banal na kapangyarihan.

Word by Word

• tad-ūrdhvam: above that / thereafter
• tad-ūrdhvam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + ūrdhva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-अव्यय; देश/परिमाणवाचक (indeclinable: ‘above that / thereafter’)

• śāṃti-atīta-ākhya-kalayā: by the kalā named Śāntyatītā
• śāṃti-atīta-ākhya-kalayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāṃti (प्रातिपदिक) + atīta (कृदन्त; √i धातु, क्त) + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक) + kalā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; बहु-तत्पुरुषः (śāṃtyā atītā yā, sā ‘ākhya’ nāmnī kalā) (instrumental sg.; ‘by the kalā called Śāntyatītā’)

• parayā: by the supreme (one)
• parayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; विशेषण (instrumental sg.; ‘by the supreme’)

• tathā: thus, likewise
• tathā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘thus, in that manner’)

• pañca-adhva-vyāpinam: pervading the five paths (pañcādhvan)
• pañca-adhva-vyāpinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + adhvan (प्रातिपदिक) + vyāpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा (2/1), एकवचन; द्विगु-तत्पुरुषः (pañca adhvānaḥ) + विशेषण vyāpin (neuter/masc. acc./nom. sg.; ‘pervading the five paths’)

• sākṣāt: directly, manifestly
• sākṣāt: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sākṣāt (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रत्यक्षार्थक-क्रियाविशेषण (indeclinable adverb: ‘directly, manifestly’)

• kalā-pañcaka-vigraham: the embodiment of the five kalās
• kalā-pañcaka-vigraham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalā (प्रातिपदिक) + pañcaka (प्रातिपदिक) + vigraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा (2/1), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (kalānāṃ pañcakasya vigrahaḥ) (acc./nom. sg.; ‘embodiment/form of the set of five kalās’)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: kalā/adhva cosmology (pañcādhva) invoked as the structure of manifestation

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It points to a highest realization of Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord—known directly through a transcendent power (Śāntyatītā), beyond ordinary peace, as the one who permeates all levels of cosmic manifestation and leads the soul to liberation.

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

Linga worship begins with accessible saguna contemplation, but this verse indicates its culmination: direct insight into Shiva as the all-pervading reality beyond categories—still approached through His powers (kalās) that govern creation and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditative absorption on Shiva as the indwelling Lord of all tattvas—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and inner contemplation of His pervasion through the ‘five adhvas’—is implied as the practical means toward direct realization.