Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 20
धर्ममात्यंतिकं तुच्छं नश्वरं क्षणभंगुरम् । यो विष्णुः स शिवो ज्ञेयो यः शिवो विष्णुरेव सः
dharmamātyaṃtikaṃ tucchaṃ naśvaraṃ kṣaṇabhaṃguram | yo viṣṇuḥ sa śivo jñeyo yaḥ śivo viṣṇureva saḥ
Keagamaan duniawi yang hanya disebut ‘tertinggi’ dalam nama belaka adalah remeh, fana, dan rapuh sekejap. Ketahuilah: yang disebut Viṣṇu itulah Śiva, dan yang disebut Śiva itulah Viṣṇu juga.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced)
Tirtha: Kedāra / Kedāranātha
Type: kshetra
Scene: A single divine form blending Śiva and Viṣṇu (Harihara) stands above a dissolving tableau of fleeting worldly ‘dharma’ symbols (crowns, titles, ritual paraphernalia), indicating impermanence; pilgrims gaze with awakened understanding.
FAQs
Sectarian division is transcended: Viṣṇu and Śiva are affirmed as one reality, while shallow, transient religiosity is critiqued.
Kedāra is the narrative setting; the teaching supports the universality of Kedāra’s Śiva worship without denying Viṣṇu.
No direct ritual; it establishes a theological basis for inclusive devotion, especially around liṅga worship.