Śivasaṃhitā 1.57

The infinity of Spirit as a logical consequence of its non-limited nature. Everything that can be delimited by space (here, not there), by time (now, not before), or by its own definition (this is water, not fire) is finite. Spirit, lacking these three limits, is necessarily infinite. Indian philosophy calls this ananta—without end—or vibhu—omnipresent.

The term avacchinna (uncut, unlimited, without delimitation) is the negation of the concept avaccheda (limitation, cut). Deśa (place), kāla (time), and svarūpa (own nature, form) are the three categories of limitation that define any finite entity. The verse denies them all simultaneously, constructing by the negative way (neti neti) the definition of the Absolute.

The negative method of defining the Absolute (neti neti—‘not this, not this’—) comes from Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad II.3.6 and was central to Yājñavalkya’s thought. The Śivasaṃhitā applies it here systematically: by negating every possible limitation, what remains is the bottomless reality underlying all experience. Infinity is not an abstract idea but what is closest.