Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
मदाज्ञा जायते तत्र ब्रह्मणो भ्रुकुटेरहम् । गुणेष्वपि यथा प्रोक्तस्तामसः प्रकृतो हरः
madājñā jāyate tatra brahmaṇo bhrukuṭeraham | guṇeṣvapi yathā proktastāmasaḥ prakṛto haraḥ
Di sana, atas perintah-Ku, Aku menzahirkan diri dari kerutan di dahi Brahmā. Dan dalam kalangan guṇa juga, sebagaimana dinyatakan, Aku—Hara—tampil dalam bentuk yang selaras dengan tamas, menurut Prakṛti, bagi tugas peleraian dan pengekangan.
Lord Shiva (Hara) describing His manifested role in creation
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Type: rudram
Role: destructive
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva, though transcendent as Pati, can assume a guna-associated role within Prakriti by His own will—especially the tamasic function needed for dissolution, restraint, and the removal of bondage.
The verse supports Saguna worship: devotees approach Shiva’s manifest role (Hara) who governs dissolution and purification, while understanding that the Linga ultimately signifies Shiva beyond all guṇas.
A practical takeaway is to perform japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa, contemplating Shiva as the remover (Hara) who dissolves impurities and ego.