Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 25

शिवशक्त्यैक्य-तत्त्वविचारः / Inquiry into the Unity of Śiva and Śakti

Para–Apara Ontology

Devanagari script

अधिष्ठितान्यनन्ताद्यैर्विद्येशैश्चक्रवर्तिभिः । शरीरांतरभेदेन शक्तेर्भेदाः प्रकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

adhiṣṭhitānyanantādyairvidyeśaiścakravartibhiḥ | śarīrāṃtarabhedena śakterbhedāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

Translation

在无尽者阿难陀（Ananta）等诸位持明自在主（Vidyeśvara）——宇宙的至上君王——的主宰之下，圣典宣说：依其受身形态的差别（即依她通过种种身相而起作用），而立诸般Śakti之分别。

Word by Word

• अधिष्ठितानि: presided over
• अधिष्ठितानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि-स्था (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle, क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘अधिष्ठित’ = presided over/inhabited

• अनन्ताद्यैः: by Ananta and others
• अनन्ताद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘अनन्त’ + ‘आदि’ (and others beginning with Ananta)

• विद्येशैः: by the lords of knowledge
• विद्येशैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या-ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विद्यायाः ईशाः)

• चक्रवर्तिभिः: by the universal rulers
• चक्रवर्तिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्रवर्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• शरीरान्तरभेदेन: by the distinction of different bodies
• शरीरान्तरभेदेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर-अन्तर-भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः (शरीरस्य अन्तरम्; तस्य भेदः)

• शक्तेः: of Śakti / power
• शक्तेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• भेदाः: divisions
• भेदाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन

• प्रकीर्तिताः: have been proclaimed
• प्रकीर्तिताः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle, क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि-भाव

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Ananta
• Vidyeshvaras
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śakti’s operations are many, and these “differences” are understood through her manifested functions in various embodied modes, all under higher divine governance—pointing to an ordered, intelligible cosmos rooted in Shiva’s supreme reality.

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

In Linga/Saguna worship, devotees approach the One Lord through manifest forms and powers; this verse supports that the many divine functions (Śakti-bhedas) are not separate absolutes but organized expressions under Shiva’s cosmic order, aiding devotion through accessible manifestations.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to meditate on Shiva as Pati (the supreme Lord) while recognizing all energies and life-functions as Śakti’s ordered expressions—supporting japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the bhāva that every embodied experience can be offered back to Shiva.