Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
प्रणवविभागः—वेदस्वरूपत्वं लिङ्गे च प्रतिष्ठा
The Division of Oṃ, Its Vedic Forms, and Its Placement in the Liṅga
हृदयान्नीलरुद्रो भूच्छिवस्य शिवसंज्ञिकः । सृष्टेः प्रवर्तको ब्रह्मा स्थितेर्विष्णुर्विमोहकः
hṛdayānnīlarudro bhūcchivasya śivasaṃjñikaḥ | sṛṣṭeḥ pravartako brahmā sthiterviṣṇurvimohakaḥ
จากพระหฤทัยของพระศิวะ ได้บังเกิดนีลรุทระ ผู้เลื่องลือด้วยนามว่า “ศิวะ” เอง พระพรหมเป็นผู้ขับเคลื่อนการสร้างสรรค์ และพระวิษณุผู้ทรงอภิบาลความดำรงอยู่ เป็นผู้ก่อให้เกิดมายาอำพรางความจริงสูงสุด
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Nīlakaṇṭha
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames Brahmā and Viṣṇu as functional cosmic offices under Śiva’s supremacy, a doctrinal backdrop often used in Liṅga/Jyotirliṅga narratives.
Significance: Establishes Śiva as the inner source (hṛdaya) of cosmic functions; contemplation supports Śiva-jñāna and reduces sectarian rivalry.
FAQs
It establishes Śiva as the Supreme source: even the cosmic functions of creation and sustenance operate under His primacy, while delusion (moha) veils beings from recognizing the highest truth of Śiva as Pati (Lord).
Nīlarudra being ‘called Śiva’ points to Saguna manifestation—Śiva becomes accessible in form and name for devotion; Linga-worship similarly anchors the mind in the Supreme who transcends yet pervades all cosmic roles.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with contemplation that Śiva alone is the inner source of all powers, dissolving moha through steady devotion and discernment.