Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 62
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
हृदि संसारिणः साक्षात्सकलः परमेश्वरः । इति विज्ञानयुक्तस्य किं तस्य प्रतिमादिभिः
hṛdi saṃsāriṇaḥ sākṣātsakalaḥ parameśvaraḥ | iti vijñānayuktasya kiṃ tasya pratimādibhiḥ
ในดวงใจของสัตว์ผู้เวียนว่ายในสังสารวัฏ พระศิวะผู้เป็นปรเมศวรในภาวะสกล (ปรากฏ) สถิตอยู่โดยตรง ผู้มีญาณแห่งการพิจารณาแยกแยะจริงเช่นนี้ จะจำเป็นต้องพึ่งรูปเคารพและสิ่งภายนอกอื่นใดเล่า
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Shiva’s teaching within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Parameśvara Śiva is immediately present in the heart; when this is realized through vijñāna (direct discernment), inner contemplation becomes primary and external props become secondary.
It does not reject Saguna worship; it indicates a progression: external supports like liṅga/pratimā help beginners focus, but for the realized knower who perceives Śiva within, worship culminates in inward, direct awareness of the sakala Lord present in the heart.
A heart-centered dhyāna: contemplate Śiva as the indwelling Lord (antar-yāmin) while maintaining devotion; external worship may continue as an aid, but the key practice is inward recognition and steady meditation.