Shloka 20
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
सृष्टेः पूर्वं शिवः प्रोक्तः सृष्टेर्मध्ये शिवस्तथा । सृष्टेरन्ते शिवः प्रोक्तस्सर्वशून्ये तदा शिवः
sṛṣṭeḥ pūrvaṃ śivaḥ proktaḥ sṛṣṭermadhye śivastathā | sṛṣṭerante śivaḥ proktassarvaśūnye tadā śivaḥ
ກ່ອນການສ້າງ ຖືກປະກາດວ່າ ມີແຕ່ ພຣະຊິວະ. ໃນກາງແຫ່ງການສ້າງ ກໍແມ່ນ ພຣະຊິວະ ເຊັ່ນກັນ. ໃນທ້າຍແຫ່ງການສ້າງ ກໍຖືກປະກາດວ່າ ພຣະຊິວະ; ແລະເມື່ອທຸກສິ່ງກາຍເປັນຄວາມວ່າງເປົ່າ ໃນເວລານັ້ນກໍມີແຕ່ ພຣະຊິວະ ພຽງອົງດຽວ.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Cosmic Event: kalpa/mahāpralaya framing (before creation, during, after; sarvaśūnya)
FAQs
It teaches Shiva as Pati—the eternal reality—who precedes creation, pervades it as its inner ruler, and remains after dissolution; recognizing this leads the soul (paśu) toward liberation from bondage (pāśa).
The Linga symbolizes Shiva’s beginningless and endless presence—before, within, and beyond the cosmos—so Saguna worship (form, mantra, ritual) becomes a doorway to realizing the same Shiva as the transcendent, all-pervading truth.
Contemplate Shiva’s omnipresence while japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” holding the sense that Shiva alone remains through creation, preservation, and dissolution; this supports steady dhyāna and dispassion.