Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 38

शैवधर्मप्रशंसा तथा पञ्चविधसाधनविभागः / Praise of Śaiva Dharma and the Fivefold Classification of Practice

Devanagari script

जगतः पितृभूतानां शिवो मूर्त्यात्मनामपि । पितृभावेन सर्वेषां पितामह उदीरितः

Transliteration

jagataḥ pitṛbhūtānāṃ śivo mūrtyātmanāmapi | pitṛbhāvena sarveṣāṃ pitāmaha udīritaḥ

Translation

جہان کا باپ شِو ہے—جسمانی صورت رکھنے والی ہستیوں کا بھی وہی پتا ہے۔ سب کے لیے پدری حیثیت رکھنے کے سبب اسے ‘پِتامہ’ بھی کہا جاتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• jagataḥ: of the world
• jagataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• pitṛ-bhūtānām: of those who are (like) fathers/ancestors
• pitṛ-bhūtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'pitṛvat bhūtāḥ' (having become like fathers); Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural

• śivaḥ: Śiva
• śivaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• mūrti-ātmanām: of embodied beings
• mūrti-ātmanām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrti (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'mūrtiḥ ātma yasya/yeṣām' (embodied beings); Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) 'also'

• pitṛ-bhāvena: by (his) fatherly nature
• pitṛ-bhāvena: Karaṇa/Hetu (करणम्/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) 'pitṛ-bhāva'; Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th), Plural

• pitāmahaḥ: grandfather/forefather
• pitāmahaḥ: Pratijñā/Predicate (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitāmaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• udīritaḥ: is declared/called
• udīritaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-īr (धातु √ईर्)
• Form: Past passive participle (कर्मणि क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; 'has been proclaimed/declared'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Encourages pitṛ-tarpaṇa and ancestral rites to be oriented toward Śiva as the ultimate pitṛ (source), integrating worldly dharma with Śaiva devotion.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes Śiva as Pati—the supreme source and guardian of all beings—so every individual soul (paśu), embodied or subtle, ultimately depends on Him for grace, protection, and liberation.

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

Calling Śiva the universal Father supports Saguna worship—approaching Him with personal devotion—while the Liṅga signifies His all-pervading lordship beyond limited form, the same Fatherhood extended to the entire cosmos.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice surrender (śaraṇāgati) by japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating Śiva as the inner Father and refuge; offer bilva and apply tripuṇḍra-bhasma as reminders of His protecting, purifying grace.