Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्
The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms
सृष्टिप्रवृत्तिकामस्य कथं ज्ञानं प्रजायते । यतो लब्धो विवेकोऽपि न मया हंसरूपिणा
sṛṣṭipravṛttikāmasya kathaṃ jñānaṃ prajāyate | yato labdho viveko'pi na mayā haṃsarūpiṇā
Pour celui que pousse le désir de mettre la création en mouvement, comment la connaissance véritable pourrait-elle naître ? Même moi—bien que sous la forme du Haṃsa—je n’ai pas obtenu ce discernement par lequel la Réalité est connue avec justesse.
Brahma (reflecting on the limits of knowledge while engaged in creation)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
FAQs
It teaches that jñāna (liberating knowledge) does not arise from desire-driven outward activity; true viveka dawns when the mind turns from pravṛtti toward the Supreme Pati, Shiva.
It implies that creation-oriented ambition cannot yield final clarity; worship of Shiva—often through the Linga as Saguna support—purifies the mind and leads to viveka that culminates in knowledge of Shiva beyond form.
A practical takeaway is to reduce desire-driven agitation and take up Shiva-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplative discrimination (viveka) to steady the mind toward moksha.