Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
नारदप्रश्नवर्णन (Nāradapraśna-varṇana) — “Account of Nārada’s Inquiry”
निर्गुणोऽपि शिवस्तात सगुणश्शंकरः कथम् । शिवतत्त्वं न जानामि मोहितश्शिवमायया
nirguṇo'pi śivastāta saguṇaśśaṃkaraḥ katham | śivatattvaṃ na jānāmi mohitaśśivamāyayā
اے عزیز، شِو تو نِرگُن ہے؛ پھر شنکر سَگُن کیسے ہے؟ میں شِو تتّو کو نہیں جانتا، کہ شِو کی ہی مایا نے مجھے مُوہِت کر رکھا ہے۔
Brahma (speaking in the creation context of the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights that the Supreme Śiva transcends all qualities (nirguṇa) yet compassionately appears with attributes (saguṇa) for the soul’s upliftment; the soul’s confusion arises from māyā, which is overcome by right understanding and devotion to Śiva.
The Liṅga and other forms are saguṇa supports for worship and contemplation; through such reverent upāsanā, the devotee’s mind becomes purified and capable of realizing the nirguṇa truth of Śiva beyond name and form.
Adopt saguṇa upāsanā—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” Liṅga-abhiṣeka, and wearing/using rudrākṣa and bhasma with devotion—so māyā’s delusion is reduced and Śiva-tattva becomes clear.