Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
मन्वन्तर-कल्प-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Discourse on Manvantaras, Kalpas, and Re-creation
इति सह महतीं महीं महीध्रैः प्रलयमहाजलधेरधःस्थमध्यात् । उपरि च विनिवेश्य विश्वकर्मा चरमचरं च जगत्ससर्ज भूयः
iti saha mahatīṃ mahīṃ mahīdhraiḥ pralayamahājaladheradhaḥsthamadhyāt | upari ca viniveśya viśvakarmā caramacaraṃ ca jagatsasarja bhūyaḥ
Assim, tendo erguido a vasta Terra com as montanhas desde a região média inferior do grande oceano do dilúvio do pralaya, Viśvakarmā tornou a colocá-la acima e, mais uma vez, plasmou o mundo inteiro—o móvel e o imóvel.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: pralaya-ocean (mahā-jala) and cyclical re-manifestation of cara–acara
FAQs
It highlights the cyclical rhythm of pralaya and renewed creation: forms dissolve, yet the cosmic order is re-established. In Shaiva Siddhanta, this points beyond changing worlds to the steady reality of Pati (Śiva), under whose governance creation is restored for the souls’ continued experience and eventual liberation.
Though Viśvakarmā is named as the architect, the Shiva Purana’s intent is that all ordered manifestation proceeds under Śiva’s supreme lordship. Linga worship centers the devotee in that unchanging Lord (Pati) who remains constant through dissolution and re-creation, while Saguna forms guide devotion within the re-manifested cosmos.
Contemplate impermanence (pralaya) and stability in Śiva: repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while meditating on Śiva as the ground of all worlds. As a simple Shaiva practice, apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembering that forms arise and subside, but Śiva’s grace leads toward moksha.