Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
मुनिप्रश्नवर्णनम्
Description of the Sages’ Questions
वन्देतरस्थं निजगूढरूपं शिवंस्वतस्स्रष्टुमिदम्विचष्टे । जगन्ति नित्यम्परितो भ्रमंति यत्सन्निधौ चुम्बकलोहवत्तम्
vandetarasthaṃ nijagūḍharūpaṃ śivaṃsvatassraṣṭumidamvicaṣṭe | jaganti nityamparito bhramaṃti yatsannidhau cumbakalohavattam
ข้าขอนอบน้อมแด่พระศิวะผู้สถิตเหนือสิ่งทั้งปวง ผู้มีสภาวะจริงอันเร้นลับ; ผู้โดยธรรมชาติทรงประสงค์ให้ปรากฏซึ่งสรรพสร้างนี้. บรรดาโลกทั้งหลายย่อมเวียนวนอยู่รอบพระองค์เนืองนิตย์ ด้วยเพียงสันนิธิของพระองค์—ดุจเหล็กถูกดูดเข้าหาแม่เหล็ก.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya in the opening of Rudra Saṃhitā, Sṛṣṭi Khaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
It establishes Śiva as the transcendent Pati (Lord) whose true nature is subtle and hidden, yet whose mere presence governs and draws all worlds—pointing to devotion and surrender as the right approach to the Supreme.
Though Śiva is described as beyond and concealed (nirguṇa in essence), devotees approach Him through saguna supports such as the Śiva-liṅga; the verse justifies liṅga-worship as a tangible focus for the invisible Lord who pervades and attracts the cosmos.
Meditate on Śiva’s sannidhi (living presence) and cultivate steady bhakti—reciting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while visualizing the mind being drawn to Śiva like iron to a magnet.