Shloka 21
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
तस्माच्चतुर्गुणः प्रोक्तः शिव एव मुनीश्वराः । स एव सगुणो ज्ञेयः शक्तिमत्त्वाद्द्विधापि सः
tasmāccaturguṇaḥ proktaḥ śiva eva munīśvarāḥ | sa eva saguṇo jñeyaḥ śaktimattvāddvidhāpi saḥ
Therefore, O best of sages, Shiva alone is declared to be fourfold. He alone should be understood as Saguna (with attributes), for by possessing Śakti He is also twofold in manifestation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: creative
FAQs
The verse teaches that the Supreme Lord Shiva is not limited to a single description: He is spoken of as “fourfold” and also as manifest in duality through Śakti. For devotees, this frames Shiva as the transcendent Pati who can still be approached in a knowable, worshipful form for liberation.
By saying Shiva is to be known as Saguna due to His Śakti, the text supports icon-and-Linga worship: the Lord graciously assumes attributes and forms so the bound soul (paśu) can concentrate, serve, and realize Him, while His highest nature remains beyond limitation.
A practical takeaway is Saguna upāsanā: worship Shiva with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and meditation on Shiva united with Śakti—using Linga-dhyāna, vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra), and Rudrāksha as supportive disciplines where appropriate.