Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
रुद्र-विष्णोः ऐकत्व-उपदेशः तथा धर्म-आज्ञा
Instruction on Rudra–Viṣṇu Unity and Divine Injunctions
त्वां यस्समाश्रितो नूनं मामेव स समाश्रितः । अंतरं यश्च जानाति निरये पतति ध्रुवम्
tvāṃ yassamāśrito nūnaṃ māmeva sa samāśritaḥ | aṃtaraṃ yaśca jānāti niraye patati dhruvam
Wer wahrhaft bei dir Zuflucht nimmt, nimmt ohne Zweifel allein bei Mir Zuflucht. Wer aber einen Unterschied zwischen dir und Mir erkennt, fällt gewiss in die Hölle.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Teaches non-difference in refuge (śaraṇāgati) between Śiva and Viṣṇu within this narrative frame; condemns bheda-buddhi as spiritually ruinous, urging unified devotion and right understanding.
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Doctrinal pivot within the creation narrative: assertion of unity of divine agency and condemnation of sectarian separation.
FAQs
It teaches śaraṇāgati (total refuge): sincere surrender to the Lord in any authentic divine form reaches Shiva, while cultivating divisive “difference-thinking” (bheda-buddhi) blocks grace and leads to spiritual downfall.
It supports the Shaiva understanding that Saguna worship—such as Linga-pūjā—is a direct approach to Shiva; the devotee should not treat Shiva’s manifestations as separate or inferior, but as one Lord granting liberation through devotion.
Practice single-minded devotion and non-difference in worship: perform Linga-pūjā with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” maintaining inner unity of faith while offering water, bilva leaves, and bhasma with reverence.