Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 1
ऋषय ऊचुः । ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च सगुणाः कीर्तितास्त्वया । लिंगरूपी तथैवेशो निर्गुणोऽसौ कथं वद
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca saguṇāḥ kīrtitāstvayā | liṃgarūpī tathaiveśo nirguṇo'sau kathaṃ vada
قال الحكماء: لقد وصفتَ براهما وفيشنو ورودرا بأنهم ذوو صفات (ساغونا). ولكن الربَّ نفسه، مع أنه في صورة اللِّينغا، يُقال إنه بلا صفات (نيرغونا)—فبيّن لنا كيف يكون ذلك.
Ṛṣis (sages) addressing Sūta
Tirtha: Kedāra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A council of sages with raised hands in inquiry before a liṅga; the air is charged with philosophical wonder as the question of nirguṇa within form is posed.
FAQs
It frames a key doctrine: the Supreme can be worshipped through form (liṅga) while remaining ultimately beyond attributes (nirguṇa).
Kedāra is the narrative setting, presenting liṅga worship as a gateway to understanding Śiva’s transcendence.
No direct prescription; it introduces a theological inquiry that supports liṅga worship while affirming nirguṇa reality.