Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 87

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

क्रियादिवृषभा ज्ञेयाः कारणादिषु सर्वदा । तं क्रियावृषभं धर्मं कालातीतोधितिष्ठति

Transliteration

kriyādivṛṣabhā jñeyāḥ kāraṇādiṣu sarvadā | taṃ kriyāvṛṣabhaṃ dharmaṃ kālātītodhitiṣṭhati

Translation

Alamin na ang mga “toro” na nagsisimula sa Kriyā (banal na pagsasagawa) ay laging naroroon sa mga sanhi at sa iba pang mga prinsipyo. Ang Dharma na yaon—na ang lakas ay Kriyā—ay itinataguyod at nilalampasan ng Isa na lampas sa Panahon (Śiva).

Word by Word

• क्रियादिवृषभाः: the bulls beginning with (the bull of) action
• क्रियादिवृषभाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्रियादिषु वृषभाः / क्रियादि-सम्बन्धिनः वृषभाः)

• ज्ञेयाः: are to be known
• ज्ञेयाः: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñā (ज्ञा धातु) → jñeya (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विधिलिङ्गार्थक-भाव्य/कर्तव्य (gerundive, -य) ‘to be known’

• कारणादिषु: in causes and the like
• कारणादिषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कारणादि-समूह)

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• तम्: that (him/it)
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• क्रियावृषभम्: the bull of action
• क्रियावृषभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्रियायाः वृषभः / क्रियासम्बन्धी वृषभः)

• धर्मम्: Dharma
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अप्पोजिशन: तं … धर्मम्)

• कालातीतः: beyond time
• कालातीतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + atīta (अतीत, कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘अतीत’; तत्पुरुषः (कालम् अतीतः)

• अधि: over / upon
• अधि: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adhi (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: उपसर्ग/अव्यय (preverb/adverb: ‘over/upon’)

• तिष्ठति: stands / abides
• तिष्ठति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (स्था धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Contemplation that all dharma-supports (kriyā etc.) rest upon and are transcended by Kāla-atīta Śiva; strengthens niṣkāma-kriyā and surrender leading to anugraha.

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Kāla-atīta principle (beyond cosmic time) implied

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Dharma
• Kala (Time)

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharmic discipline (kriyā) is a real support within the cosmos, yet liberation ultimately depends on Śiva, the Kalātīta Pati, who both sustains and surpasses time-bound causality.

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

Linga-worship embodies disciplined kriyā (abhisheka, mantra, vrata) performed within time, while pointing to Śiva who is beyond time; thus Saguna worship becomes a doorway to realizing the transcendent Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform steady kriyā such as Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Linga-pūjā and a dharmic vow (vrata), offering actions to Śiva who alone grants freedom beyond Kāla.