Adhyaya 23: श्वेत-लोहित-पीत-कृष्ण-विश्व-कल्पेषु रुद्रस्वरूप-गायत्री-तत्त्ववर्णनम्
तेषामघोरः शान्तश् च भविष्याम्यहमव्ययः पुनश् च विश्वरूपत्वं यदा ब्रह्मन्ममाभवत्
teṣāmaghoraḥ śāntaś ca bhaviṣyāmyahamavyayaḥ punaś ca viśvarūpatvaṃ yadā brahmanmamābhavat
Für sie werde Ich Aghora sein, der Nicht‑Furchterregende, und Śānta, der Friedvolle — Ich, der Unvergängliche. Und wiederum, o Brahmā, als Mein Zustand als kosmische Gestalt (Viśvarūpa) offenbar wurde.
Shiva (addressing Brahma within Suta’s narration)
It frames Śiva as the Avyaya Pati who, out of grace, becomes Aghora and Śānta for beings—supporting the core Linga-Pūjā idea that worship approaches the benign, liberating presence behind all forms.
Śiva is presented as imperishable (avyaya) and freely manifesting aspects—Aghora (benevolent) and Viśvarūpa (cosmic). This indicates Pati’s sovereignty over manifestation while remaining unchanged in essence.
The verse implies the Pāśupata aim of śānti—pacifying pasha (bondage) through devotion and contemplative recognition of Śiva as both the tranquil Aghora and the all-pervading Viśvarūpa.