Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇanam) — “Narration of Sandhyā’s Austerity and Encounter with Śiva”
संध्योवाच । निराकारं ज्ञानगम्यं परं यन्नैव स्थूलं नापि सूक्ष्मं न चोच्चम् । अंतश्चिंत्यं योगिभिस्तस्य रूपं तस्मै तुभ्यं लोककर्त्रे नमोस्तु
saṃdhyovāca | nirākāraṃ jñānagamyaṃ paraṃ yannaiva sthūlaṃ nāpi sūkṣmaṃ na coccam | aṃtaściṃtyaṃ yogibhistasya rūpaṃ tasmai tubhyaṃ lokakartre namostu
Sandhyā berkata: Wahai Yang Maha Tertinggi—tanpa rupa dan dapat dikenal melalui pengetahuan sejati—Engkau bukan kasar dan bukan halus, bukan tinggi dan bukan rendah. Para yogi merenungi hakikat-Mu di dalam batin; kepada-Mu, Pencipta dan Pemelihara segala alam, hamba bersujud dengan namaskara.
Sandhyā
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: nirākāraṃ jñānagamyaṃ paraṃ yannaiva sthūlaṃ nāpi sūkṣmaṃ na coccam | aṃtaściṃtyaṃ yogibhistasya rūpaṃ tasmai tubhyaṃ lokakartre namostu
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It praises Shiva as the transcendent Pati—beyond physical categories like gross/subtle or high/low—yet realizable through jñāna and inner yogic contemplation, pointing to liberation through direct inner recognition of Shiva’s supreme nature.
Although Shiva is declared nirākāra (formless), the tradition holds that the same Supreme can be approached through saguna supports like the Śiva-liṅga; outer worship steadies devotion, while inner contemplation leads to realizing the formless reality signified by the liṅga.
The verse emphasizes antar-dhyāna (inward meditation): sit in stillness, turn awareness within, and contemplate Shiva as the indwelling Supreme; this can be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to unify devotion and yogic concentration.