Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
उभयोरंतरं यो वै न जानाति मनो मम । वामांगजो मम हरिर्दक्षिणांगोद्भवो विधिः
ubhayoraṃtaraṃ yo vai na jānāti mano mama | vāmāṃgajo mama harirdakṣiṇāṃgodbhavo vidhiḥ
Que celui qui ne saisit pas vraiment la distinction intérieure entre les deux—tel est Mon propre dessein—sache ceci : Hari (Viṣṇu) naît de Mon côté gauche, et Vidhi (Brahmā, l’Ordonnateur) surgit de Mon côté droit.
Lord Shiva (Sadāśiva/Rudra) explaining the origin and distinction of Viṣṇu and Brahmā within the creation narrative
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: The ‘left/right side’ emanation motif is used in some local traditions to explain the sanctity of paired shrines (Hari-Śiva, Brahmā-Śiva) as cosmic body-parts of the Lord, though no single Jyotirliṅga is specified here.
Significance: Reinforces Śiva as the source of functional deities; pilgrimage to Śiva-kṣetras is framed as returning to the source (pati) beyond derivative powers.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It asserts Śiva as the transcendent source (Pati) from whom the cosmic functions emerge, and teaches discernment: Brahmā and Viṣṇu are empowered roles within creation, while Śiva remains the inner ground beyond them.
By presenting Śiva as the origin of the cosmic powers, it supports Liṅga/Saguṇa worship as devotion to the supreme source, not merely to a deity among equals—Liṅga signifies that underlying, all-supporting reality.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation that all divine functions arise in Śiva; this cultivates steady bhakti and right discernment (viveka) toward mokṣa.