Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 65
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
मूर्त्यात्मसु शिवाः केचिदध्वनां मूर्धसु स्थिताः । मध्ये महेश्वरा रुद्रास्त्वर्वाचीनपदे स्थिताः
mūrtyātmasu śivāḥ kecidadhvanāṃ mūrdhasu sthitāḥ | madhye maheśvarā rudrāstvarvācīnapade sthitāḥ
మూర్తి–ఆత్మ తత్త్వాలలో కొందరు ‘శివులు’ అని పిలువబడుతూ అధ్వముల శిఖరంలో స్థితిచెందుతారు. మధ్యలో ‘మహేశ్వరులు’ ఉంటారు; ‘రుద్రులు’ మాత్రం దిగువ స్థానాలలో నివసిస్తారు.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
It presents a Shaiva-Siddhanta style gradation of divine principles across the adhvans (cosmic paths): higher stations are termed “Śivas,” the middle “Maheśvaras,” and the lower “Rudras,” indicating levels of lordship and proximity to the Supreme Pati.
The verse frames Saguna manifestations as ordered levels of Shiva’s lordly presence within the cosmos; Linga-worship focuses devotion toward the highest Shiva-principle beyond lower gradations, leading the practitioner from limited conceptions (lower stations) toward supreme realization.
Meditatively contemplate Shiva as the summit of all adhvans while repeating the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), using Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as aids to steady the mind toward the highest station of consciousness.