Shloka 36
Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra
Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms
बृंहणत्वं बृहत्त्वं च शंभ्वाख्यविग्रहे । पंचब्रह्ममये विश्वप्रतीतिर्ब्रह्म शब्दिता
bṛṃhaṇatvaṃ bṛhattvaṃ ca śaṃbhvākhyavigrahe | paṃcabrahmamaye viśvapratītirbrahma śabditā
In the form known as Śambhu are present both the power of expansion and the state of vastness. And the manifestation by which the universe is apprehended—being constituted of the Five Brahmas—is designated by the name “Brahman.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasa Samhita’s Shaiva philosophical teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: cosmic manifestation (viśva-pratīti) grounded in Pañcabrahma
FAQs
It identifies Śambhu as the locus of both expansion (creative unfoldment) and boundless greatness, teaching that the universe’s very intelligibility arises from the pañcabrahma-tattva—thus pointing the seeker to Shiva as the supreme ground (Brahman) beyond limited individuality.
By describing Śambhu’s ‘form’ (vigraha) as the seat of the Five Brahmas, it supports Saguna worship—such as Linga-upāsanā—as a valid doorway to realize the Nirguna truth, where Brahman is understood as Shiva’s all-pervading reality.
Meditate on the Linga as Śambhu embodying the pañcabrahma, and repeat the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the contemplation that all experience of the world arises and expands within Shiva’s vast consciousness.