Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 36
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
तथैकस्या मृदो भेदो नानापात्रे न वस्तुतः । कारणस्यैव कार्ये च सन्निधानं निदर्शनम्
tathaikasyā mṛdo bhedo nānāpātre na vastutaḥ | kāraṇasyaiva kārye ca sannidhānaṃ nidarśanam
同样，一团泥土在诸多器皿中所显的差别，并非本质真实。此即譬喻：因本身恒在果中——显示源头在所生之物中常住不离。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that apparent diversity is often only a change of form, while the underlying reality remains one—pointing to the indwelling presence of the ultimate cause (Shiva) within all created effects.
Just as clay pervades every pot, Shiva as the inner reality is present within all forms; the Liṅga becomes a focused symbol for worshipping that pervasive presence—Saguna worship leading the mind toward the formless ground.
Meditate on Shiva as the abiding essence within changing names and forms; in japa, hold the meaning of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as remembrance of the one reality present in all experiences.