Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 36
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
तथैकस्या मृदो भेदो नानापात्रे न वस्तुतः । कारणस्यैव कार्ये च सन्निधानं निदर्शनम्
tathaikasyā mṛdo bhedo nānāpātre na vastutaḥ | kāraṇasyaiva kārye ca sannidhānaṃ nidarśanam
同様に、一つの土がさまざまな器となって現れても、その差異は本質において実ではない。これは、原因そのものが結果の中に現前し続けるという譬えであり、生み出されたものの内に源が常住することを示す。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that apparent diversity is often only a change of form, while the underlying reality remains one—pointing to the indwelling presence of the ultimate cause (Shiva) within all created effects.
Just as clay pervades every pot, Shiva as the inner reality is present within all forms; the Liṅga becomes a focused symbol for worshipping that pervasive presence—Saguna worship leading the mind toward the formless ground.
Meditate on Shiva as the abiding essence within changing names and forms; in japa, hold the meaning of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as remembrance of the one reality present in all experiences.