Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 98
पञ्चावरणमार्गस्थं योगेश्वरस्तोत्रम्
Pañcāvaraṇa-mārga Stotra to Yogeśvara Śiva
दिवाकरो महेशस्य मूर्तिर्दीप्तिसुमंडलः । निर्गुणो गुणसंकीर्णस्तथैव गुणकेवलः
divākaro maheśasya mūrtirdīptisumaṃḍalaḥ | nirguṇo guṇasaṃkīrṇastathaiva guṇakevalaḥ
Die Sonne ist eine offenbarte Gestalt Maheshvaras, umgeben von einem strahlenden Kreis des Glanzes. Er (der Herr) ist jenseits der गुणas (nirguṇa), und doch wird Er auch als mit गुणas vermischt geschaut und ebenso als rein mit गुणas begabt.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva is simultaneously transcendent (nirguṇa) and immanent (saguṇa): the same Supreme Reality is beyond all attributes, yet compassionately appears through perceivable forms—here symbolized by the Sun’s radiant orb—so devotees can contemplate and realize Him.
Just as the Sun is a visible support for contemplating the invisible Supreme, the Śiva-liṅga is a sacred support (ālambana) for worshipping Saguna Shiva while remembering that His ultimate nature is Nirguna—beyond form, color, and limitation.
Meditate on Shiva’s presence as the inner light behind the Sun’s radiance while repeating the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya); during worship, apply Tripuṇḍra bhasma and offer arghya or water as a symbol of surrendering one’s limited qualities to the Lord beyond qualities.