Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 58
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
सर्गरक्षालयकरस्त्रिगुणैरज आदिभिः । गुणभिन्नश्शिवस्साक्षात्प्रकृते पुरुषात्परः
sargarakṣālayakarastriguṇairaja ādibhiḥ | guṇabhinnaśśivassākṣātprakṛte puruṣātparaḥ
Śiva selbst vollzieht unmittelbar Schöpfung, Erhaltung und Auflösung durch die drei Guṇas und durch Gottheiten wie Brahmā (Aja). Doch Śiva ist von den Guṇas verschieden: Er überragt sowohl Prakṛti (Natur) als auch Puruṣa (die erfahrende Seele) und steht erhaben jenseits von beiden.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Doctrinal rather than local: it explains how Śiva operates through guṇas and delegated deities (Aja etc.) while remaining guṇātīta—often used by later commentators to interpret temple iconography of Trimūrti within Śaiva supremacy.
Significance: Supports the pilgrim’s focus on Śiva as the transcendent source beyond prakṛti and puruṣa; worship is framed as turning from guṇa-bound causality (pāśa) to the guṇa-transcendent Lord (pati).
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that while cosmic functions operate through the guṇas and divine offices, Shiva is the ultimate Pati—guṇātīta and supreme—so liberation comes by turning from guṇa-bound nature to Shiva’s grace and realization.
The Linga signifies Shiva who is both immanent (guiding creation through Brahmā and other deities) and transcendent (unaffected by guṇas). Saguna worship becomes a doorway to realize the Nirguna/para aspect indicated here.
Meditate on Shiva as guṇātīta while chanting the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering worship to the Linga with the intent of rising beyond rajas and tamas into pure awareness supported by Shiva’s grace.