Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 27
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
न तस्योत्पादकः कश्चिद्भर्ता हर्ता न तस्य हि । स्वयं सर्वस्य हेतुस्ते कार्यभूताच्युतादयः
na tasyotpādakaḥ kaścidbhartā hartā na tasya hi | svayaṃ sarvasya hetuste kāryabhūtācyutādayaḥ
彼无造作者——确然，对他而言既无维持者，亦无毁灭者。唯他自身为万有之因；即便阿周陀（毗湿奴）等诸神，也只是由其威力所生之果。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Affirms Śiva as the uncaused cause (anādi-kāraṇa); pilgrimage is framed as turning the paśu toward Pati, the sole ultimate refuge beyond all secondary deities.
Cosmic Event: Causal hierarchy asserted: Śiva as hetu; other gods as kārya (effects)
FAQs
It declares Shiva as the independent Supreme (Pati): unproduced, not subject to being sustained or destroyed by another, and the ultimate cause from whom all divine functions and beings arise.
The Linga signifies the self-existent, beginningless Shiva; worship of the Linga/Saguna form is a practical doorway to realize the Nirguna truth that He alone is the causative ground and all others are dependent manifestations.
Meditate on Shiva as the sole cause while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating surrender (śaraṇāgati) to the Lord beyond creation, preservation, and dissolution.