Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43
विष्णुचेष्टितवर्णनम् / Account of Viṣṇu’s Stratagem and Its Aftermath
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तास्ततो देव्योंतर्हिता अभवन्मुने । रुद्रविष्णुविधीनां हि शक्तयस्त्रिगुणात्मिकाः
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityuktvā tāstato devyoṃtarhitā abhavanmune | rudraviṣṇuvidhīnāṃ hi śaktayastriguṇātmikāḥ
சனத்குமாரர் கூறினார்—“முனிவரே! இவ்வாறு கூறியவுடன் அந்த தேவியர் அங்கேயே மறைந்தனர்; ஏனெனில் ருத்ரன், விஷ்ணு, விதி (பிரம்மா) ஆகியோரின் சக்திகள் முக்குண இயல்புடையவை.”
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
FAQs
It distinguishes the Supreme Lord (Rudra as Pati) from the operational divine energies (śaktis) that function through the three guṇas; spiritual progress involves recognizing guṇa-bound activity and turning the mind toward Shiva who grants liberation beyond prakṛti.
Linga/Saguna worship supports the devotee within the guṇas—purifying tamas and rajas and stabilizing sattva—so the mind can approach Rudra with devotion; the verse frames divine manifestations and powers as guṇa-based while Shiva remains the liberating Lord.
A practical takeaway is guṇa-purification through Shiva-upāsanā: japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), wearing rudrākṣa, and applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) to steady the mind in sattva and reduce rajas-tamas.