Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 62
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
हृदि संसारिणः साक्षात्सकलः परमेश्वरः । इति विज्ञानयुक्तस्य किं तस्य प्रतिमादिभिः
hṛdi saṃsāriṇaḥ sākṣātsakalaḥ parameśvaraḥ | iti vijñānayuktasya kiṃ tasya pratimādibhiḥ
Within the heart of the embodied soul who moves through saṃsāra, the Supreme Lord—Śiva in His manifest (sakala) aspect—abides directly. For one endowed with true discriminative knowledge of this, what need is there for images and other external supports of worship?
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Shiva’s teaching within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Parameśvara Śiva is immediately present in the heart; when this is realized through vijñāna (direct discernment), inner contemplation becomes primary and external props become secondary.
It does not reject Saguna worship; it indicates a progression: external supports like liṅga/pratimā help beginners focus, but for the realized knower who perceives Śiva within, worship culminates in inward, direct awareness of the sakala Lord present in the heart.
A heart-centered dhyāna: contemplate Śiva as the indwelling Lord (antar-yāmin) while maintaining devotion; external worship may continue as an aid, but the key practice is inward recognition and steady meditation.