Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
विश्वेदेवास्तथा रौप्यं वसवश्च तथैव च । आरकूटमयं वापि पार्थिवं ह्यश्विनौ मुने
viśvedevāstathā raupyaṃ vasavaśca tathaiva ca | ārakūṭamayaṃ vāpi pārthivaṃ hyaśvinau mune
Ô sage, les Viśvedevas et les Vasus sont pareillement de nature argentée ; et les Aśvins, en vérité, sont de nature terrestre, ou bien l’on dit qu’ils sont faits de cuivre.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Cosmic Event: Enumeration of deva-classes by material/metallic correspondence (silver, earth, copper) within sṛṣṭi narration
FAQs
It frames the devas within elemental correspondences (silver, copper, earth), pointing to a Shaiva view that all cosmic functions and beings arise within prakṛti, while Śiva as Pati remains the transcendent regulator of creation beyond these material gradations.
By describing divine classes through material qualities, the text contrasts conditioned cosmic forms with the Linga as the stable, all-pervading emblem of Śiva—Saguna worship uses form and symbol to lead the devotee toward recognition of Śiva’s supremacy over all created categories.
A practical takeaway is bhāva-śuddhi in pūjā: contemplate that all elements and divine powers are subordinate to Śiva, then offer a simple Linga-abhiṣeka with mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as the unifying meditation.