Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
रुद्र-विष्णोः ऐकत्व-उपदेशः तथा धर्म-आज्ञा
Instruction on Rudra–Viṣṇu Unity and Divine Injunctions
इत्थं रूपं त्वया तावद्रक्षणीयं ममाज्ञया । तावत्सृष्टेश्च कार्यं वै कर्तव्यं विविधैर्गुणैः
itthaṃ rūpaṃ tvayā tāvadrakṣaṇīyaṃ mamājñayā | tāvatsṛṣṭeśca kāryaṃ vai kartavyaṃ vividhairguṇaiḥ
Ainsi donc, selon Mon ordre, tu dois pour l’instant préserver cette forme. Jusque-là, l’œuvre de la création doit véritablement être accomplie, pourvue de qualités (guṇa) diverses.
Lord Śiva (issuing a command within the creation narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: Cosmogonic commissioning: the Lord’s directive initiates structured creation with ‘vividhaiḥ guṇaiḥ’ (guṇa-differentiation in prakṛti/māyā).
FAQs
It presents Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) who governs cosmic order: forms are maintained by His command, and creation proceeds through regulated guṇas—showing that the universe functions under Śiva’s sovereignty, not mere chance.
By emphasizing “form” (rūpa) to be preserved, the verse supports Saguna worship: devotees approach Śiva through a maintained, sacred manifestation (such as the Liṅga), while recognizing that this form serves a cosmic purpose under Śiva’s will.
Meditate on Śiva as the inner governor of the guṇas and repeat the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the resolve to align one’s actions with dharma—mirroring the verse’s theme of obedience to Śiva’s ājñā (divine command).