Shloka 3
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
तस्मात्प्रकृतिरुत्पन्ना पुरुषेण समन्विता । ताभ्यान्तपः कृतं तत्र मूलस्थे च जले सुधीः
tasmātprakṛtirutpannā puruṣeṇa samanvitā | tābhyāntapaḥ kṛtaṃ tatra mūlasthe ca jale sudhīḥ
From Him, Prakṛti arose, united with Puruṣa. Then those two undertook tapas, sacred austerity, there—at the very root, in the waters—O wise one.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It frames creation as arising from a higher divine source, where Prakriti and Purusha must first perform tapas—showing that manifestation follows inner discipline and divine ordinance, not random material change.
Even when the text speaks in cosmological terms (Prakriti–Purusha), Shaiva reading places Shiva as the transcendent ground from whom these principles proceed; Linga-worship points to that root-cause (mūla) beyond the visible world.
The verse highlights tapas: steady japa and meditation with restraint—classically supported in Shaiva practice by Panchakshara mantra-japa and contemplative focus on Shiva as the source at the ‘root’ of all manifestation.