Shloka 20
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
सृष्टेः पूर्वं शिवः प्रोक्तः सृष्टेर्मध्ये शिवस्तथा । सृष्टेरन्ते शिवः प्रोक्तस्सर्वशून्ये तदा शिवः
sṛṣṭeḥ pūrvaṃ śivaḥ proktaḥ sṛṣṭermadhye śivastathā | sṛṣṭerante śivaḥ proktassarvaśūnye tadā śivaḥ
قبل الخلق يُعلَن شيفا؛ وفي وسط الخلق كذلك شيفا. وفي نهاية الخلق يُعلَن شيفا؛ وحين يصير كلُّ شيءٍ فراغًا محضًا، فحينئذٍ أيضًا لا يكون إلا شيفا وحده.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Cosmic Event: kalpa/mahāpralaya framing (before creation, during, after; sarvaśūnya)
FAQs
It teaches Shiva as Pati—the eternal reality—who precedes creation, pervades it as its inner ruler, and remains after dissolution; recognizing this leads the soul (paśu) toward liberation from bondage (pāśa).
The Linga symbolizes Shiva’s beginningless and endless presence—before, within, and beyond the cosmos—so Saguna worship (form, mantra, ritual) becomes a doorway to realizing the same Shiva as the transcendent, all-pervading truth.
Contemplate Shiva’s omnipresence while japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” holding the sense that Shiva alone remains through creation, preservation, and dissolution; this supports steady dhyāna and dispassion.