Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 138

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

शिवलिंगं नादरूपं बिंदुरूपं तु शक्तिकम् । उपप्रधानभावेन अन्योन्यासक्तलिंगकम्

Transliteration

śivaliṃgaṃ nādarūpaṃ biṃdurūpaṃ tu śaktikam | upapradhānabhāvena anyonyāsaktaliṃgakam

Translation

湿婆林伽之性为那陀（Nāda，内在本初之音），而圣力之性为宾度（Bindu，种子之点）。以主与辅之相而论，二者互相依存不可分离；故林伽恒与圣力合一。

Word by Word

• śiva-liṅgam: Śiva-liṅga
• śiva-liṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva + liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य लिङ्गम्)

• nāda-rūpam: of the nature of nāda (sound)
• nāda-rūpam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nāda + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative, Singular; qualifies śivaliṅgam; तत्पुरुषः (नादरूपम्)

• bindu-rūpam: of the nature of bindu (point/seed)
• bindu-rūpam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bindu + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative, Singular; qualifies śivaliṅgam; तत्पुरुषः (बिन्दुरूपम्)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Avyaya (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) of contrast/emphasis

• śaktikam: Śakti-related/Śakti-natured
• śaktikam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaktika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative, Singular; qualifies śivaliṅgam; ‘connected with Śakti/Śakti-natured’

• upa-pradhāna-bhāvena: by the relation of subordinate-and-principal (aspects)
• upa-pradhāna-bhāvena: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upa + pradhāna + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; तत्पुरुषः (उपः च प्रधानः च—भावः) used as manner/instrument

• anyonya-āsakta-liṅgakam: mutually attached/connected liṅga-form
• anyonya-āsakta-liṅgakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anyonya + āsakta + liṅgaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Accusative, Singular; qualifies śivaliṅgam; तत्पुरुषः (अन्योन्ये आसक्तं लिङ्गकम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Lalitā

Role: creative

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: cosmogonic emergence of manifestation from nāda-bindu (subtle creation principle)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that the liṅga is not merely a physical emblem but a metaphysical reality: Śiva as Nāda (conscious, revealing vibration) and Śakti as Bindu (creative seed). Their inseparability points to the non-dual functioning of Pati and His power in liberation.

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

Liṅga worship is presented as worship of Śiva together with Śakti—Saguna devotion leading the mind toward the subtle truth that the manifest form and the inner divine power are never separate.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on the liṅga as Nāda within the heart and contemplate Śakti as Bindu—focusing the mind into one-pointedness. In practice, this supports japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with inward listening and concentrated awareness.