Shloka 14
देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras
एकस्वरूपा हि वयं भिन्नाः कार्यस्य भेदतः । कार्यभेदो न सिद्धश्चेद्रूपभेदाऽप्रयोजनः
ekasvarūpā hi vayaṃ bhinnāḥ kāryasya bhedataḥ | kāryabhedo na siddhaścedrūpabhedā'prayojanaḥ
നാം യഥാർത്ഥത്തിൽ ഏകസ്വരൂപരാണ്; പ്രവർത്തനഭേദം കൊണ്ടുമാത്രം ഭിന്നരെന്നു തോന്നുന്നു. പ്രവർത്തനഭേദം തന്നെ സിദ്ധമാകുന്നില്ലെങ്കിൽ, രൂപഭേദകൽപ്പന നിർഥകമാണ്.
Lord Shiva (in philosophical instruction within Satīkhaṇḍa narration as relayed by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches discernment (viveka): the seeker should recognize one underlying reality (Shiva as the supreme Pati) and not cling to superficial distinctions unless they serve a real spiritual purpose—leading the mind toward liberation.
Linga and other forms are meaningful when they serve a definite function—focusing devotion and purifying the mind. The verse implies that forms are not ultimate in themselves; their value lies in guiding the devotee toward the one Shiva beyond all limiting distinctions.
Practice one-pointed worship that has clear inner purpose: japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with meditation on Shiva as the single reality, using Linga-pūjā, bhasma (tripuṇḍra), or rudrākṣa as supports for concentration rather than as mere external markers.