Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 47
एकस्यां च तनौ जाता एकस्माद्यदि वा क्वचित् । चत्वारस्तनयास्तत्किं भिन्नवर्णत्वमाप्नुयुः
ekasyāṃ ca tanau jātā ekasmādyadi vā kvacit | catvārastanayāstatkiṃ bhinnavarṇatvamāpnuyuḥ
Jika dalam suatu keadaan, empat orang anak lelaki lahir daripada tubuh yang sama dan sumber yang sama, bagaimana mungkin mereka memperoleh varṇa atau warna yang berbeza?
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Yuddha-khaṇḍa dialogue to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights discernment (viveka): external differences like complexion or form do not automatically prove different origins; in Shaiva thought, the same underlying reality can manifest diverse appearances under māyā and karma.
The Liṅga points to the one Reality (Pati, Shiva) beyond changing attributes, while Saguna forms vary for līlā and grace; the verse’s logic supports seeing unity behind diverse manifestations.
Practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation that Shiva is the one consciousness appearing in many forms; this steadies the mind beyond surface distinctions.