Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
सृष्टिक्रमवर्णनम् / Description of the Sequence of Creation
राजसी च सुरा देवी सत्त्वरूपात्तु सा सती । लक्ष्मीस्तमोमयी ज्ञेया विरूपा च शिवा परा
rājasī ca surā devī sattvarūpāttu sā satī | lakṣmīstamomayī jñeyā virūpā ca śivā parā
Die Göttin Surā ist von rājassischer Natur; jene Satī aber ist wahrhaft von der Gestalt der sattva. Lakṣmī ist als tamasisch in ihrer Neigung zu erkennen; und über all dem steht die höchste Śivā — Virūpā, die die gewöhnliche Form übersteigt.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: classification of śakti-manifestations by guṇas within sṛṣṭi discourse
FAQs
It teaches that while divine powers may be described through the three guṇas for explaining creation, the Supreme Śivā (Śiva’s transcendent Śakti) ultimately stands beyond all guṇas and ordinary form—pointing the seeker toward liberation-oriented worship rather than merely worldly boons.
Guṇa-based descriptions support saguna contemplation during worship, but the verse culminates in Śivā Parā—indicating that Linga worship can begin with form and qualities yet mature into realization of Śiva-Śakti as transcendent (beyond rajas, tamas, and even sattva).
A practical takeaway is to perform pañcākṣarī-japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with guṇa-śuddhi intent—reducing rajas and tamas—then meditate on Śiva/Śivā as Parā (beyond guṇas), supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and inward steadiness.