Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 45
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
मदीयश्च तथांऽशो यो लयकर्ता भविष्यति । इयं या प्रकृतिर्देवी ह्युमाख्या परमेश्वरी
madīyaśca tathāṃ'śo yo layakartā bhaviṣyati | iyaṃ yā prakṛtirdevī hyumākhyā parameśvarī
“Và phần của Ta sẽ trở thành tác nhân của sự tiêu hoại (laya)—chính Prakṛti thiêng liêng này là Nữ Thần Tối Thượng, được biết đến với danh hiệu Umā.”
Lord Shiva (as Pati, explaining the cosmic functions and His Śakti in the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narration)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: laya-function (dissolution) identified as Śiva’s aṃśa operating through Śakti/Prakṛti
FAQs
The verse identifies Umā as Divine Prakṛti—Śiva’s own supreme Śakti—showing that cosmic dissolution (laya) is not a random end but a sacred function governed by the Lord through His power, guiding beings toward renewal and ultimately liberation.
In Linga/Saguṇa worship, devotees approach Śiva together with His inseparable Śakti. This verse supports the Shaiva view that Śiva is Pati (the Lord) and Umā-Prakṛti is His manifest power through which cosmic functions, including laya, are accomplished—thus honoring the Linga as the unified reality of Śiva–Śakti.
A practical takeaway is Śiva–Śakti upāsanā: worship the Linga with devotion while remembering Umā as the Lord’s supreme power; recite the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with contemplation that all creation and dissolution rest in Śiva through Śakti.