Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
भक्तिभेदाः—ज्ञानप्रधानभक्तेः प्रशंसा
Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion
अहं विष्णुश्च जानीवस्तद्भेदं न कदाचन । केपरे मुनयो देवा मनुषाद्याश्च योगिनः
ahaṃ viṣṇuśca jānīvastadbhedaṃ na kadācana | kepare munayo devā manuṣādyāśca yoginaḥ
Ich und Viṣṇu haben dies erkannt, und niemals, zu keiner Zeit, haben wir irgendeinen wirklichen Unterschied (im Höchsten) wahrgenommen. Was ist dann erst von anderen Munis, Göttern, Menschen und Yogins zu sagen?
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadashiva
Significance: Affirms non-difference in the highest reality as known to Brahmā and Viṣṇu; encourages humility in seekers and reliance on Śiva’s grace for true knowledge.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that even exalted deities like Brahmā and Viṣṇu recognize no ultimate, absolute division in the Supreme; therefore seekers should abandon sectarian difference and aim for direct realization through devotion and right knowledge.
The Liṅga is a Shaiva symbol pointing to the one Supreme beyond form; worshipping Saguna Shiva with devotion matures the mind so the devotee sees the same Supreme Reality without bheda (division), consistent with the verse’s message.
Cultivate bheda-śānti (peace beyond divisiveness) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steady meditation on Shiva as the inner Self, supported by simple Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa when appropriate.