Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
पशु-पाश-पतिविचारः / Inquiry into Paśu, Pāśa, and Pati
हिरण्यगर्भं देवानां प्रथमं जनयेदयम् । विश्वस्मादधिको रुद्रो महर्षिरिति हि श्रुतिः
hiraṇyagarbhaṃ devānāṃ prathamaṃ janayedayam | viśvasmādadhiko rudro maharṣiriti hi śrutiḥ
हा रुद्र देवांचा आदिपुरुष हिरण्यगर्भ (ब्रह्मा) प्रथम उत्पन्न करतो। श्रुती म्हणते—महर्षी रुद्र संपूर्ण विश्वापेक्षाही श्रेष्ठ आहे।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Cosmic Event: first emanation: Hiraṇyagarbha; assertion of Rudra’s transcendence beyond viśva
FAQs
The verse asserts Pati-tattva: Rudra (Śiva) is the supreme reality who precedes and transcends the created universe, even generating Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā). For the seeker, it grounds devotion and liberation in the worship of Śiva as the ultimate source and goal.
By declaring Rudra superior to the universe and the origin of Brahmā, the verse supports Linga-worship as adoration of the transcendent Pati made accessible through a sacred form (saguṇa upāsanā). The Linga signifies Śiva beyond all categories while allowing focused devotion and meditation.
A practical takeaway is daily Rudra-upāsanā—mentally placing Śiva above all worldly identifications, repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and meditating on the Linga as the source of creation and the giver of mokṣa.