Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44

अनिरुद्धापहरणानन्तरं कृष्णस्य शोणितपुरगमनम् तथा रुद्रकृष्णयुद्धारम्भः | After Aniruddha’s Abduction: Kṛṣṇa Marches to Śoṇitapura and the Rudra–Kṛṣṇa Battle Begins

Devanagari script

विश्वोत्पत्तिस्थाननाशहेतुं सज्ज्ञप्ति मात्रकम् । ब्रह्मलिंगं परं शांतं केवलं परमेश्वरम्

Transliteration

viśvotpattisthānanāśahetuṃ sajjñapti mātrakam | brahmaliṃgaṃ paraṃ śāṃtaṃ kevalaṃ parameśvaram

Translation

Ce Brahma-Liṅga est le Parameśvara suprême, paisible et absolu : cause de la naissance, du maintien et de la dissolution de l’univers ; et pourtant il n’est indiqué que par une simple désignation, comme un signe, car il dépasse toute objectivation complète.

Word by Word

• विश्वोत्पत्तिस्थाननाशहेतुम्: the cause of the creation, abode, and dissolution of the universe
• विश्वोत्पत्तिस्थाननाशहेतुम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + उत्पत्ति + स्थान + नाश + हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (विश्वस्य उत्पत्तेः स्थानस्य नाशस्य हेतुः)

• सज्ज्ञप्ति: manifestation/illumination
• सज्ज्ञप्ति: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सज्ज्ञप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nominative/Accusative), एकवचन (पाठानुसार अर्थे ‘ज्ञप्ति/प्रकाश’); पदच्छेदे ‘सज्ज्ञप्ति-मात्रकम्’ इति विशेषणभावः

• मात्रकम्: mere/only
• मात्रकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मात्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; ‘केवलमात्र’ अर्थे

• ब्रह्मलिङ्गम्: the sign/mark of Brahman
• ब्रह्मलिङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणः लिङ्गम्)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• शान्तम्: peaceful
• शान्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक; √शम्-शान्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• केवलम्: absolute/only
• केवलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केवल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• परमेश्वरम्: the Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (परमः ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The verse evokes the doctrine of the Brahma-Liṅga as the transcendent sign (liṅga) of the Absolute—akin to the Liṅgodbhava motif where the infinite pillar reveals Śiva beyond Brahmā and Viṣṇu, establishing Śiva as the causal ground of creation, maintenance, and dissolution.

Significance: Meditation on the liṅga as ‘mere indicator’ (sajjñapti-mātra) trains the devotee to move from external emblem to the formless Parameśvara, yielding inner peace (śānti) and grace (anugraha).

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Cosmic causality of creation–maintenance–dissolution (implicit mahā-kārya triad); hints at pralaya doctrine without naming a specific kalpa.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that the Liṅga is not merely an object but a sacred indicator of Parameśvara—Shiva as the peaceful Absolute—who alone is the ultimate cause behind creation, maintenance, and dissolution, guiding the devotee toward moksha.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse frames the Liṅga as a ‘designation’ or sign (liṅga) pointing to Shiva who transcends all forms; thus Saguna worship of the Liṅga becomes a doorway to realize Nirguna, the ‘kevala’ Parameśvara beyond conceptual limits.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on the Liṅga as the serene Parameśvara while repeating the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), letting the mind move from the visible sign (liṅga) to the formless, peaceful Shiva it indicates.