Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 63

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

Para–Apara Ontology

Devanagari script

अहः शूलायुधो देवः शूलपाणिप्रिया निशा । आकाशः शंकरो देवः पृथिवी शंकरप्रिया

Transliteration

ahaḥ śūlāyudho devaḥ śūlapāṇipriyā niśā | ākāśaḥ śaṃkaro devaḥ pṛthivī śaṃkarapriyā

Translation

白昼是执三叉戟为武器的神；黑夜为三叉戟在手的主所钟爱。虚空苍穹即是圣者商羯罗（Śaṅkara，湿婆）本身；大地则为商羯罗所爱。

Word by Word

• अहः: day
• अहः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन्/अहः (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समनाधिकरण-वाक्य (equational)

• शूलायुधः: he whose weapon is the trident
• शूलायुधः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (शूलम् एव आयुधं यस्य)

• देवः: the god
• देवः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समनाधिकरण

• शूलपाणिप्रिया: beloved of the trident-holder
• शूलपाणिप्रिया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूलपाणि + प्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शूलपाणेः प्रिया)

• निशा: night
• निशा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समनाधिकरण

• आकाशः: sky; ether
• आकाशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara
• शंकरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समनाधिकरण

• देवः: the god
• देवः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समनाधिकरण

• पृथिवी: earth
• पृथिवी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शंकरप्रिया: beloved of Śaṅkara
• शंकरप्रिया: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर + प्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शंकरस्य प्रिया)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Ishana

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Parvati

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shankara

FAQs

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

It teaches Shiva-bhāvanā: perceiving Śaṅkara as pervading time (day/night) and space (sky/earth), so the devotee’s awareness becomes continuous and non-fragmented—supporting liberation through constant remembrance of Pati (Śiva).

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

By identifying cosmic functions and elements with Śiva, the verse supports Saguna contemplation—seeing the Linga not as a mere symbol but as the living presence of Śaṅkara who pervades the universe while remaining transcendent.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice day-and-night japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a contemplative overlay: during daylight and at night, meditate that time and the elements are Śiva’s manifestation, reinforcing uninterrupted smaraṇa (remembrance).