Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 45
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
मदीयश्च तथांऽशो यो लयकर्ता भविष्यति । इयं या प्रकृतिर्देवी ह्युमाख्या परमेश्वरी
madīyaśca tathāṃ'śo yo layakartā bhaviṣyati | iyaṃ yā prakṛtirdevī hyumākhyā parameśvarī
„Und jener Anteil von Mir, der zum Vollzieher der Auflösung (laya) werden wird: Diese göttliche Prakṛti selbst ist die Höchste Göttin, bekannt als Umā.“
Lord Shiva (as Pati, explaining the cosmic functions and His Śakti in the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narration)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: laya-function (dissolution) identified as Śiva’s aṃśa operating through Śakti/Prakṛti
FAQs
The verse identifies Umā as Divine Prakṛti—Śiva’s own supreme Śakti—showing that cosmic dissolution (laya) is not a random end but a sacred function governed by the Lord through His power, guiding beings toward renewal and ultimately liberation.
In Linga/Saguṇa worship, devotees approach Śiva together with His inseparable Śakti. This verse supports the Shaiva view that Śiva is Pati (the Lord) and Umā-Prakṛti is His manifest power through which cosmic functions, including laya, are accomplished—thus honoring the Linga as the unified reality of Śiva–Śakti.
A practical takeaway is Śiva–Śakti upāsanā: worship the Linga with devotion while remembering Umā as the Lord’s supreme power; recite the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with contemplation that all creation and dissolution rest in Śiva through Śakti.