Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
शिवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Śiva-stuti-varṇanam) — “Description of Hymns in Praise of Śiva”
विश्वदेवमनाद्यंतं षट्त्रिंशत्कमनीश्वरम् । प्रवर्तकं च सर्वेषां त्वां नमामि च सर्वतः
viśvadevamanādyaṃtaṃ ṣaṭtriṃśatkamanīśvaram | pravartakaṃ ca sarveṣāṃ tvāṃ namāmi ca sarvataḥ
ஏ உலகத் தேவனே! நீ ஆதியுமில்லா அந்தமுமில்லாதவன்; முப்பத்தாறு தத்துவங்களின் தொகுதியாக வெளிப்பட்டாலும் நீயே உன்னத ஈசன். அனைத்தையும் இயக்கும் நீயே; எல்லாத் திசைகளிலும் எல்லாவிதமாகவும் உன்னை வணங்குகிறேன்.
Suta Goswami (narrating the hymn of praise in the Yuddha Khanda context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
The verse affirms Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who is beginningless and endless—while also being the source and governor of the entire field of existence (the tattvas). Devotion here matures into insight: all movement in life is ultimately impelled by Shiva, so surrender leads toward liberation.
Calling Shiva the universal God and the initiator of all supports Saguna worship (Linga, form, mantra) as a direct approach to the same reality that is beyond beginning and end. The Linga symbolizes that limitless Shiva who pervades all directions (sarvataḥ).
A practical takeaway is directional, all-pervading remembrance of Shiva—repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with full surrender—paired with simple Shaiva observances like applying Tripundra (bhasma) and offering salutations in all directions, recognizing Shiva as the inner initiator.