Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
मन्वन्तर-कल्प-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Discourse on Manvantaras, Kalpas, and Re-creation
मुनय ऊचुः । मन्वंतराणि सर्वाणि कल्पभेदांश्च सर्वशः । तेष्वेवांतरसर्गं च प्रतिसर्गं च नो वद
munaya ūcuḥ | manvaṃtarāṇi sarvāṇi kalpabhedāṃśca sarvaśaḥ | teṣvevāṃtarasargaṃ ca pratisargaṃ ca no vada
诸牟尼说道：“请为我们详尽宣说一切摩奴劫（Manvantara）与诸般劫（Kalpa）的差别；并在其中，也请为我们开示中间之创造与再创造。”
Sages of Naimisharanya (Munis)
Tattva Level: pashu
Cosmic Event: Request for exposition of kalpa-bheda, manvantara cycles, antara-sarga and prati-sarga
FAQs
By asking about Manvantaras, Kalpas, and repeated creation, the sages seek insight into the cyclical nature of manifestation—knowledge that turns the mind from transient worlds toward Pati (Lord Shiva), the constant reality beyond creation and dissolution.
Cosmic cycles (sarga–pratisarga) highlight that all forms arise and subside, while the Linga signifies Shiva as the enduring ground of being; worship of Saguna Shiva steadies devotion amid change and points to the timeless Nirguna truth indicated by the Linga.
The verse chiefly suggests śravaṇa (listening to sacred cosmology) as contemplation; a practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to anchor awareness in Shiva while reflecting on impermanence and recurring cycles.