Shloka 5
Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra
Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms
एवं रूपस्य जगतः कारणं यत्सनातनम् । स्त्रीरूपं तत्किमाहोस्वित्पुरुषो वा नपुंसकम्
evaṃ rūpasya jagataḥ kāraṇaṃ yatsanātanam | strīrūpaṃ tatkimāhosvitpuruṣo vā napuṃsakam
かくして、この形ある宇宙の因である永遠の実在は—女性の相として理解すべきか、男性の相か、あるいはそのいずれでもない（性を超えた）ものか。
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasha Samhita discourse to the sages, presenting the philosophical question in context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: teaching
FAQs
It directs the seeker to inquire into the ultimate cause (Pati, Shiva) behind all changing forms, indicating that the Supreme is not limited by bodily gender and can be approached as both transcendent (beyond attributes) and immanent (graciously manifest).
The question of “female, male, or neuter” points to Shiva’s supremacy beyond form; the Linga especially signifies that transcendence while still serving as a concrete focus for devotion—Saguna worship leading the mind toward Nirguna realization.
Meditate on Shiva as the timeless cause of all forms while doing japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”); contemplate the Linga as the sign of the formless Supreme, steadying the mind beyond dualities such as gender.