Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
रुद्ररथ-निर्माणवर्णनम् / Description of Rudra’s Divine Chariot Construction
अकारश्च महच्छत्रं मंदरः पार्श्वदंडभाक् । शैलेन्द्रः कार्मुकं तस्य ज्या भुजंगाधिपस्स्वयम्
akāraśca mahacchatraṃ maṃdaraḥ pārśvadaṃḍabhāk | śailendraḥ kārmukaṃ tasya jyā bhujaṃgādhipassvayam
‘ಅ’ ಅಕ್ಷರವು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಮಹಾರಾಜ ಛತ್ರವಾಯಿತು; ಮಂದರ ಪರ್ವತವು ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವದಂಡವಾಯಿತು. ಪರ್ವತಾಧಿಪತಿ ಅವನ ಧನುಸ್ಸಾಯಿತು; ಸ್ವಯಂ ನಾಗರಾಜನು ಅದರ ಜ್ಯೆಯಾಯಿತು.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
It portrays how all cosmic principles—sound (akāra), mountains, and nāga-power—naturally become instruments of Shiva, indicating that the universe functions as the Lord’s body and equipment when He acts to protect dharma.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva: the transcendent Lord willingly assumes form and attributes, and even the elements of creation become His ornaments and weapons—just as the Linga is the accessible, worship-worthy manifestation of the Supreme (Pati) for devotees.
Contemplate Shiva as pervading mantra and matter: meditate on the primal sound (akāra within Om) and recite the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” visualizing all powers of nature aligning as protective grace under Shiva’s sovereignty.