Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26
रुद्रस्य परमात्मत्वे ब्रह्मपुत्रत्वादिसंशयप्रश्नः — Questions on Rudra’s Supremacy and His ‘Sonship’ to Brahmā
आवयोरधिकश्चास्ति स रुद्रो नात्र संशयः । तस्य देवाधिदेवस्य प्रसादात्परमेष्ठिनः
āvayoradhikaścāsti sa rudro nātra saṃśayaḥ | tasya devādhidevasya prasādātparameṣṭhinaḥ
Between the two of us, the One who is truly superior is Rudra—of this there is no doubt. By the grace of that God of gods, the Supreme Lord, this truth is known and firmly established.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya discourse to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, conveying the supremacy of Rudra)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It affirms Rudra (Śiva) as Pati—the supreme Lord—whose grace alone removes doubt and establishes right understanding, aligning with the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on divine anugraha (grace) as the key to liberation.
By declaring Rudra as Devādhideva, the verse supports Saguna worship—such as Śiva-liṅga pūjā—as a valid and exalted means to approach the Supreme, through which His grace is invoked and spiritual certainty arises.
A practical takeaway is grace-centered bhakti: daily Śiva-liṅga worship with the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), accompanied by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and, where appropriate, Rudrākṣa japa—done with humility seeking Rudra’s prasāda.
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