Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
केचिच्ज्ञेयमिति प्राहुरज्ञेयमिति केचन । परमेके तमेवाहुरपरं च तथा परे
kecicjñeyamiti prāhurajñeyamiti kecana | parameke tamevāhuraparaṃ ca tathā pare
May ilan ang nagsasabing ang Kataas-taasan ay maaaring makilala; ang iba’y nagsasabing Siya’y di-makikilala. May ilan ang nagsasalita tungkol sa Kanya bilang tanging pinakamataas na Katotohanan, at may iba namang naglalarawan na Siya rin ay ang mas mababang prinsipyong nahahayag.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya philosophical teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It reconciles differing views about Shiva by indicating that the Supreme can be spoken of as both transcendent (beyond thought) and also accessible through manifestation—supporting a Shaiva Siddhanta-style understanding of Pati as beyond yet graciously knowable through His revelation.
It implies that while Shiva’s highest nature is beyond full conceptual grasp, devotees approach Him through the ‘apara’—His manifest signs and forms such as the Shiva Linga, names, and attributes—without denying His supreme transcendence.
Meditate on Shiva as both Nirguna and Saguna—worship the Linga with mantra (especially the Panchakshara, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) while inwardly contemplating the Supreme as beyond words and mind.