Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 21
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
हेतुर्नेताधिपस्तेषां धाता चोक्ता महेश्वरः । विराड्ढिरण्यगर्भात्मा कैश्चिदीशो निगद्यते
heturnetādhipasteṣāṃ dhātā coktā maheśvaraḥ | virāḍḍhiraṇyagarbhātmā kaiścidīśo nigadyate
Mahādeva is declared to be the Cause, the Guide and Lord over them all, and the very Sustainer (Dhātā). Some also describe the Supreme Lord as the indwelling Self of Virāṭ (the cosmic form) and Hiraṇyagarbha (the cosmic creator-principle).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It establishes Shiva (Maheshvara) as Pati—the supreme Cause, inner guide, and sustainer—while cosmic principles like Virat and Hiranyagarbha are presented as dependent expressions within His lordship.
By affirming Shiva as the indwelling Lord of the cosmos, the verse supports Saguna worship (such as Linga-upasana) as a valid means to approach the transcendent Pati who pervades and governs all forms.
Meditate on Shiva as the inner ruler (Īśa) of all tattvas while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating the insight that all cosmic powers rest in Maheshvara.