Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
देवस्तुतिः (Devastuti) — Hymn/Praise of the Devas
साधकानां शुचीनां त्वं प्राणायामो महेश्वर । ज्योतिर्लिंगेषु सर्वेषु भवान् विश्वे श्वरो मतः
sādhakānāṃ śucīnāṃ tvaṃ prāṇāyāmo maheśvara | jyotirliṃgeṣu sarveṣu bhavān viśve śvaro mataḥ
噢，大自在天（Maheśvara），对心地清净的修行者而言，汝即是调息之法——般若那亚玛（prāṇāyāma）的纪律本身。于一切光明灵伽（Jyotirliṅga）之中，汝被尊为“毗湿维湿瓦罗”(Viśveśvara)——宇宙之主。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Viśvanātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is proclaimed avimukta-kṣetra where Śiva as Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha abides; liberation is assured through his anugraha, classically expressed as the granting of tāraka-upadeśa at death.
Significance: Darśana and abhiṣeka of Viśvanātha is held to bestow purification, fulfillment of dharma/artha/kāma, and especially mokṣa in the avimukta-kṣetra by Śiva’s grace.
Mantra: oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse identifies Śiva as both the goal and the inner means of practice: for purified aspirants, even prāṇāyāma is seen as His presence and grace, guiding the mind toward liberation (mokṣa) under the Lordship of Pati (Śiva).
By praising Śiva as Viśveśvara among all Jyotirliṅgas, it affirms Saguna worship through the Linga as a concrete focus where the universal Lord is approached—while also implying His immanence within yogic discipline.
It points to prāṇāyāma joined with Śiva-bhakti—steady breath regulation with remembrance of Śiva (often supported by japa such as “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Jyotirliṅga-centered devotion.