Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
अग्नीषोमात्मकविश्ववर्णनम् / The Universe as Agni–Soma
Fire and Nectar
वायुरुवाच । अग्निरित्युच्यते रौद्री घोरा या तैजसी तनुः । सोमः शाक्तो ऽमृतमयः शक्तेः शान्तिकरी तनुः
vāyuruvāca | agnirityucyate raudrī ghorā yā taijasī tanuḥ | somaḥ śākto 'mṛtamayaḥ śakteḥ śāntikarī tanuḥ
Vāyu nói: “Thân thể rực cháy như lửa—Rudrī, dữ dội và đầy quang huy—được gọi là ‘Agni’. Còn ‘Soma’ là thân thể Śākta, tựa cam lộ, chính là Śakti ban sự an hòa.”
Vayu
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It presents two complementary modes of Śakti—Agni as the fierce, transformative radiance and Soma as the nectar-like, peace-giving power—showing how Shiva’s path includes both purification and calming grace.
In Linga worship, devotees approach Saguna Shiva with Śakti: Agni signifies burning impurities (pāśa/bondage), while Soma signifies cooling, stabilizing grace—together supporting inner steadiness for realizing Pati (Shiva).
Meditatively contemplate the ‘Agni’ aspect as inner tapas that burns mala (impurity), and the ‘Soma’ aspect as śānti that settles the mind; in practice this aligns with japa of Shiva mantras and शांतिपाठ-like calming intent after purification rites (e.g., bhasma application).