Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
शङ्खचूडवधकथनम् / The Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Slaying
मरीचेस्तनयो धातुः पुत्रो यः कश्यपो मुनिः । स धर्मिष्ठस्सृष्टिकर्त्ता विध्याज्ञप्तः प्रजापतिः
marīcestanayo dhātuḥ putro yaḥ kaśyapo muniḥ | sa dharmiṣṭhassṛṣṭikarttā vidhyājñaptaḥ prajāpatiḥ
Marīci’s son was Dhātā, and his son was the sage Kaśyapa. That Kaśyapa, most righteous in dharma, became a creator in the work of manifestation, appointed by Brahmā’s ordinance as a Prajāpati.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Sthala Purana: Genealogical-cosmogonic setup: Marīci → Dhātā → Kaśyapa, appointed Prajāpati by Brahmā for secondary creation; not tied to a Jyotirliṅga locale.
Significance: Teaches cosmic order: even exalted creators (Brahmā, Prajāpatis) operate by higher ordinance—supporting the Siddhānta hierarchy where Pati (Śiva) is ultimate, while Brahmā is a delegated agent within māyā.
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: secondary creation (sarga/pratisarga context implied)
FAQs
It highlights that cosmic functions like progeny and creation are carried out by righteous beings (Prajāpatis) under divine ordinance, reminding devotees that dharma and obedience to higher order support harmony in the manifest world—while Shiva remains the supreme ground beyond all functions.
By showing that even Brahmā’s creative administration depends on appointed agents, the verse indirectly points to the Shaiva view that all ordered manifestation is sustained by the Supreme (Shiva). Linga worship centers the devotee in that supreme reality beyond the changing roles of creator and created.
The practical takeaway is steadiness in dharma and remembrance of the Lord behind all duties; a fitting practice is daily japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while offering water to a Shiva Linga, dedicating one’s actions to Shiva as the inner ruler of cosmic order.