Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 51
सर्गविभागवर्णनम्
Classification of Creation: the Nine Sargas and the Streams of Beings
तेषां द्वादश वंशाः स्युर्दिव्या देवगणान्विताः । प्रजावन्तः क्रियावन्तो महर्षिभिरलंकृताः । अथ देवासुरपित्ःन्मनुष्यांश्च चतुष्टयम् । सह रुद्रेण सिसृक्षुरंभस्येतानि वै विधिः
teṣāṃ dvādaśa vaṃśāḥ syurdivyā devagaṇānvitāḥ | prajāvantaḥ kriyāvanto maharṣibhiralaṃkṛtāḥ | atha devāsurapitḥnmanuṣyāṃśca catuṣṭayam | saha rudreṇa sisṛkṣuraṃbhasyetāni vai vidhiḥ
Aus ihnen gingen zwölf Geschlechter hervor—göttlich, von Scharen der Devas begleitet—reich an Nachkommenschaft, eifrig in heiligen Pflichten und geschmückt durch große ṛṣis. Danach wollte der Ordner (Vidhī/Brahmā) zusammen mit Rudra aus den uranfänglichen Wassern die vier Gruppen hervorbringen: Devas, Asuras, Pitṛs (Ahnen) und Menschen.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Cosmic Event: primary creation from the primal waters (āmbhas)
FAQs
It frames creation as a sacred, ordered unfolding in which Rudra is not merely destructive but a divine principle present even in manifestation—showing that all beings (devas, asuras, Pitṛs, humans) arise within the same cosmic governance and can turn toward liberation by right action and grace.
By presenting Rudra as co-present in creation, the verse supports Saguna Shiva devotion: worship of the Linga honors the immanent Lord who pervades the cosmos and guides beings through dharma and spiritual discipline toward realizing Shiva as Pati (the Supreme).
The emphasis on being “kriyāvān” (engaged in sacred duties) points to regular Shaiva practice—daily Shiva-puja to the Linga with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra), japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and remembrance of Rudra as the inner governor of all actions.