Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 27

शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः

Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation

Devanagari script

स्वरूपं दर्शयामास घोरं सूर्यात्मकं परम् । सर्वैश्वर्यगुणोपेतं सर्वतेजोमयं परम्

Transliteration

svarūpaṃ darśayāmāsa ghoraṃ sūryātmakaṃ param | sarvaiśvaryaguṇopetaṃ sarvatejomayaṃ param

Translation

他显现自身至上的本相——威严赫然、具太阳之性而超越一切——具足诸般主宰功德，通体皆为无量神圣光辉。

Word by Word

• स्वरूपम्: own form/nature
• स्वरूपम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Accusative singular)

• दर्शयामास: showed/revealed
• दर्शयामास: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense ‘made (someone) see/showed’ (णिच्-भाव implied)

• घोरम्: terrible/awe-inspiring
• घोरम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Accusative singular; agrees with svarūpam)

• सूर्यात्मकम्: of the nature of the sun
• सूर्यात्मकम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘sun’ + ‘consisting of’); द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण

• सर्वैश्वर्यगुणोपेतम्: endowed with all sovereign qualities
• सर्वैश्वर्यगुणोपेतम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + उपेत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √इ ‘to go’ with उप)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative: ‘endowed with qualities of all lordliness’); द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण

• सर्वतेजोमयम्: consisting of all radiance
• सर्वतेजोमयम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘made of all splendor’); द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; विशेषण (repeated)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse describes a theophany (svarūpa-darśana) rather than a localized liṅga-manifestation; it functions as a doctrinal revelation of the Supreme’s tejas.

Significance: Contemplation of Śiva’s tejas as the inner light (antar-jyotis) is presented as a higher ‘tīrtha’—a transformative vision that purifies and reorients worship toward the Supreme.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Theophany: revelation of a ‘sun-natured’ supreme form, suggestive of cosmic illumination rather than calendrical time.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Surya

FAQs

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

The verse presents Shiva as Pati, the Supreme Lord whose form is pure tejas—overwhelming, illuminating consciousness—signifying that liberation comes by His grace when the soul encounters His transcendent majesty.

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

It supports Saguna-upasana: Shiva can be approached through a manifest, radiant form (often contemplated through the Linga as the concentrated sign of His limitless light), while still being ‘param’—beyond all limiting attributes.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as an inner sun of consciousness (tejas) while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya); optionally apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of transcendence and the burning away of bonds (pāśa).