Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
अरूपं केचिदाहुर्वै रूपवंतं परे विदुः । अदृश्यमपरे प्राहुर्दृश्यमित्यपरे विदुः
arūpaṃ kecidāhurvai rūpavaṃtaṃ pare viduḥ | adṛśyamapare prāhurdṛśyamityapare viduḥ
Some indeed declare Him to be formless; others know Him as possessed of form. Some say He is invisible, while others affirm that He is visible—so diverse are the notions held about the Supreme Lord.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva, the Supreme Pati, transcends limited viewpoints: He is beyond form (nirguṇa) yet also graciously accessible in form (saguṇa), so seekers should not reduce Him to only one conception.
The verse supports Shaiva practice where the formless Absolute is approached through a sacred, perceivable support—such as the Shiva Linga—while understanding that the ultimate reality of Shiva is not confined to any visible shape.
Combine outer worship and inner contemplation: perform Linga-pūjā with mantra (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and meditate on Shiva as the unseen, all-pervading consciousness beyond sensory perception.