Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
रुद्रस्य परमात्मत्वे ब्रह्मपुत्रत्वादिसंशयप्रश्नः — Questions on Rudra’s Supremacy and His ‘Sonship’ to Brahmā
प्रजापतिश्च विष्णुश्च रुद्रस्यैतौ परस्परम् । सृष्टौ परस्परस्यांगादिति प्रागपि शुश्रुम
prajāpatiśca viṣṇuśca rudrasyaitau parasparam | sṛṣṭau parasparasyāṃgāditi prāgapi śuśruma
Nous avons aussi entendu auparavant que Prajāpati (Brahmā) et Viṣṇu—ces deux-là, en relation avec Rudra—sont apparus dans la création à partir des membres l’un de l’autre, se soutenant mutuellement dans l’ordre manifesté.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Cosmic Event: cosmic emanation (sṛṣṭi) of functional deities within the manifested order
FAQs
The verse emphasizes Rudra (Shiva) as the supreme ground of manifestation, while Brahma (Prajapati) and Vishnu function within creation in mutual dependence—pointing the seeker toward the Pati (Lord) as the ultimate refuge beyond the changing created order.
By presenting Rudra as the principal source and support of cosmic functions, it supports Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga worship—as devotion to the manifest symbol of the transcendent Lord who empowers Brahma’s creation and Vishnu’s preservation.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating Shiva as Pati, the inner ruler of all cosmic roles; this aligns devotion beyond sectarian rivalry into surrender to Rudra’s supreme lordship.