Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्
The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms
विष्णुश्चापि तदा तत्र प्रणिपत्य सदाशिवम् । उपदिश्य च मां तात ह्यंतर्धानमुपागतः
viṣṇuścāpi tadā tatra praṇipatya sadāśivam | upadiśya ca māṃ tāta hyaṃtardhānamupāgataḥ
Dann verneigte sich auch Viṣṇu dort und sogleich vor Sadāśiva; und nachdem er mich unterwiesen hatte, mein Kind, entschwand er dem Blick.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Cosmic Event: Tirodhāna: Viṣṇu’s disappearance after completing his role as instructor; concealment as orderly withdrawal of divine functionaries
FAQs
It highlights the primacy of surrender (praṇipāta) before Sadāśiva and shows that divine guidance is received through humility; even Viṣṇu models reverence to Shiva, affirming Shiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) in Shaiva Siddhanta framing.
Sadāśiva here is the accessible, worship-worthy Saguna manifestation through whom instruction is given; Linga-worship embodies this same principle—approaching the Lord with devotion and receiving grace and right knowledge.
The implied practice is praṇāma/prostration with bhakti before Shiva, followed by attentive reception of upadeśa; in daily worship this aligns with offering obeisance to the Linga, reciting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and cultivating inner humility.