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
ข้าแต่เทพแห่งสากล ผู้ไร้จุดเริ่มและไร้ที่สุด แม้ทรงปรากฏเป็นหมู่แห่งตัตตวะสามสิบหกประการ ก็ยังทรงเป็นอีศวรผู้สูงสุดไร้ผู้เหนือกว่า พระองค์ทรงเป็นผู้ผลักดันและเริ่มต้นสรรพสิ่ง ข้าพเจ้าขอนอบน้อมแด่พระองค์จากทุกทิศทุกทาง
Suta Goswami (narrating the hymn of praise in the Yuddha Khanda context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: This verse explicitly aligns with the Siddhānta map of reality: Śiva as the transcendent Lord of the 36 tattvas. Pilgrimage here is primarily doctrinal—recognizing the Lord as tattva-adhīśa loosens identification with lower tattvas (pāśa).
Mantra: विश्वदेवमनाद्यंतं षट्त्रिंशत्कमनीश्वरम् । प्रवर्तकं च सर्वेषां त्वां नमामि च सर्वतः
Type: stotra
Role: creative
Cosmic Event: kalpa-level cosmogenesis implied by ‘pravartaka’ (impeller of all) and tattva-manifestation
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.