Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 19
शिवस्य पञ्चब्रह्मावतारवर्णनम्
Description of Shiva’s Pañcabrahma Avatāras
तं दृष्ट्वा ध्यानसंयुक्तं ज्ञात्वा तत्पुरुषं शिवम् । प्रणनाम ततो बुद्ध्या गायत्रीं शांकरीं विधिः
taṃ dṛṣṭvā dhyānasaṃyuktaṃ jñātvā tatpuruṣaṃ śivam | praṇanāma tato buddhyā gāyatrīṃ śāṃkarīṃ vidhiḥ
Nang makita Siya na nakaugnay sa malalim na pagninilay at makilala Siya bilang si Śiva sa anyong Tatpuruṣa, si Vidhi (Brahmā) ay yumukod na may banal na pag-unawa, at saka inanyayahan ang Śāṃkarī Gāyatrī sa pagbigkas.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana account to the sages, with Brahma as the acting character in the verse)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa
Significance: Models the correct response to divine revelation: recognition (pratyabhijñā-like ‘jñātvā’) followed by praṇāma and mantra-upāsanā, leading to grace.
Type: gayatri
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Deity-epiphany within cosmogonic narrative; recognition of pañcavaktra aspect (Tatpuruṣa) as governing presence.
FAQs
The verse presents the Shaiva Siddhanta movement from mere sight to true recognition (jñāna): Brahmā perceives Shiva as the meditative Lord (Pati) and responds with humility (praṇāma) and mantra-invocation, showing that liberation-oriented knowledge is completed by devotion and surrender.
By naming Shiva as Tatpuruṣa, the text points to Saguna revelation—Shiva known through a specific, worshipable aspect. This supports formal upāsanā (mantra and reverence) that culminates in recognizing the one Shiva behind all forms, including Linga worship.
Meditative absorption (dhyāna) is honored as Shiva’s own state, and the devotee’s response is praṇāma plus mantra-japa—here, the Śāṃkarī Gāyatrī—indicating a Shaiva practice of contemplation followed by mantra recitation with clear understanding (buddhi).