Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
शिवशक्त्यैक्य-तत्त्वविचारः / Inquiry into the Unity of Śiva and Śakti
Para–Apara Ontology
उपमन्युरुवाच । श्रीमद्विभूतिं शिवयोर्याथात्म्यं च समासतः । वक्ष्ये तद्विस्तराद्वक्तुं भवेनापि न शक्यते
upamanyuruvāca | śrīmadvibhūtiṃ śivayoryāthātmyaṃ ca samāsataḥ | vakṣye tadvistarādvaktuṃ bhavenāpi na śakyate
优波摩纽说道：“我将略述湿婆与其神圣配偶的吉祥威德与真实本性；若要详尽宣说，连婆伐（主湿婆）自己也无法穷尽。”
Sage Upamanyu
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva and the Divine Consort’s vibhūti (divine majesty) and yāthātmya (ultimate reality) are immeasurable; scripture can summarize for devotion and liberation, but the Infinite cannot be exhausted by words—pointing the seeker toward bhakti, jñāna, and direct realization.
By admitting that the full expanse of Shiva’s nature cannot be spoken in detail, the text validates saguna upāsanā—worship through accessible forms like the Śiva-liṅga, names, and hymns—as compassionate means to approach the nirguna, limitless reality.
A practical takeaway is daily remembrance and concise praise: japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), coupled with simple Śiva-pūjā (liṅga-abhisheka) and contemplation that Shiva’s essence transcends speech and thought.