Shloka 2
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
सूत उवाच । यच्चादौ हि समुत्पन्नं निर्गुणात्परमात्मनः । तदेव शिवसंज्ञं हि वेदवेदांतिनो विदुः
sūta uvāca | yaccādau hi samutpannaṃ nirguṇātparamātmanaḥ | tadeva śivasaṃjñaṃ hi vedavedāṃtino viduḥ
Sūta said: “That which, in the beginning, arose from the attributeless Supreme Self—this indeed is known by the knowers of the Vedas and Vedānta by the name ‘Śiva.’”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes Śiva as the primary designation for the nirguṇa Paramātman as understood by Veda/Vedānta—supporting śraddhā in Śiva as mokṣa-prada.
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: cosmogonic beginning (ādau) / initial manifestation
FAQs
It identifies Śiva with the nirguṇa Paramātman—the transcendent Reality beyond qualities—affirming that liberation is grounded in realizing Śiva as the Supreme Self, not merely as a limited form.
While devotees worship Śiva in saguna forms such as the Liṅga, this verse clarifies that the ultimate referent of that worship is the nirguṇa Paramātman; the form serves as a sacred support leading the mind to the formless truth.
Meditate on Śiva as both transcendent (nirguṇa) and immanent (manifest), using japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as a bridge from form-based devotion to inner realization.