Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 60
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
दृश्यते श्रूयते लोके यद्यत्सदसदात्मकम् । तत्तत्सर्वं सुरा वित्त परं ब्रह्म शिवात्मकम्
dṛśyate śrūyate loke yadyatsadasadātmakam | tattatsarvaṃ surā vitta paraṃ brahma śivātmakam
Tout ce qui est vu et tout ce qui est entendu en ce monde—qu’il paraisse réel ou irréel—sachez, ô dieux, que tout cela n’est rien d’autre que le Brahman suprême, dont la nature même est Śiva.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating Shiva’s supreme nature to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Rudrasaṃhitā discourse)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: A universal mahāvākya-like proclamation within the narrative: all phenomena, whether taken as sat or asat, are grounded in the Supreme Brahman whose essence is Śiva (śivātmakam).
Significance: Encourages sarva-darśana as Śiva-darśana: the pilgrim’s highest fruit is to perceive every experience as pervaded by Śiva, dissolving fear and duality.
Type: stotra
Role: creative
FAQs
It teaches Shiva-centric non-dual vision: the entire field of experience—seen and heard, manifest and passing—ultimately rests in and is pervaded by Pati, Lord Shiva, the Supreme Brahman. This insight loosens bondage (pāśa) by reducing attachment to appearances and turning awareness toward Shiva as the ground of reality.
The Liṅga is a focused emblem of the same Supreme Shiva-Brahman described here. By worshipping Saguna Shiva in the Liṅga (with form, mantra, and ritual), the devotee is guided toward realizing Nirguna Shiva—the all-pervading Brahman—present in every experience.
A practical takeaway is Shiva-smaraṇa (constant remembrance) with the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” combined with contemplative practice: while seeing and hearing the world, mentally offer it to Shiva and recognize it as Shiva’s pervasion—supporting japa, dhyāna, and Liṅga-pūjā.