Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
रुद्रस्य परमात्मत्वे ब्रह्मपुत्रत्वादिसंशयप्रश्नः — Questions on Rudra’s Supremacy and His ‘Sonship’ to Brahmā
ऋषय ऊचुः । भवता कथिता सृष्टिर्भवस्य परमात्मनः । चतुर्मुखमुखात्तस्य संशयो नः प्रजायते
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | bhavatā kathitā sṛṣṭirbhavasya paramātmanaḥ | caturmukhamukhāttasya saṃśayo naḥ prajāyate
Les sages dirent : «Tu nous as exposé la création qui procède de Bhava — le Soi suprême. Puisqu’elle est sortie de la bouche du Quatre-Visages (Brahmā), aucun doute ne s’élève en nous à son sujet.»
The sages (ṛṣis) of Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It establishes Bhava (Śiva) as the Paramātman and the ultimate source behind creation, while affirming the reliability of the teaching as transmitted through Brahmā—supporting śraddhā (trust) as the basis for deeper Shaiva inquiry into Pati, paśu, and pāśa.
By calling Śiva “Bhava” and “Paramātman,” the verse frames Saguna worship (such as Liṅga-pūjā) as devotion to the Supreme who manifests and empowers the cosmic functions through deities like Brahmā; thus, Liṅga worship becomes worship of the source of all manifestation.
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa and manana—listening to Śiva’s creation-teachings with faith and reflecting on them; this is commonly supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to steady the mind for right understanding.