Shiva Purana

siva.sh/siva-purana/rudra-samhita/12/61

भेदो जलानां लोकेऽस्मिन्प्रतिभावे विचारतः ।। एवमाहुस्तथा चान्ये सर्वे वेदार्थतत्त्वगाः ।।६१।।

sanskrit

There is difference in the vessels but not in the water that they contain. This is what those who know the real meaning of the Vedas say.

english translation

bhedo jalAnAM loke'sminpratibhAve vicArataH || evamAhustathA cAnye sarve vedArthatattvagAH ||61||

hk transliteration by Sanscript

siva.sh/siva-purana/rudra-samhita/12/62

हृदि संसारिणः साक्षात्सकलः परमेश्वरः ।। इति विज्ञानयुक्तस्य किं तस्य प्रतिमादिभिः।।६२ऽ।।

sanskrit

“Lord Śiva is within the heart of beings in this world.” Of what avail are the idols to those who have this real knowledge?

english translation

hRdi saMsAriNaH sAkSAtsakalaH paramezvaraH || iti vijJAnayuktasya kiM tasya pratimAdibhiH||62'||

hk transliteration by Sanscript

siva.sh/siva-purana/rudra-samhita/12/63

इति विज्ञानहीनस्य प्रतिमाकल्पना शुभा ।। पदमुच्चैस्समारोढुं पुंसो ह्यालम्बनं स्मृतम् ।। ६३ ।।

sanskrit

Having an idol is very auspicious for a person who has no such knowledge. It is a ladder that enables him to climb to a higher position.

english translation

iti vijJAnahInasya pratimAkalpanA zubhA || padamuccaissamAroDhuM puMso hyAlambanaM smRtam || 63 ||

hk transliteration by Sanscript

siva.sh/siva-purana/rudra-samhita/12/64

आलम्बनं विना तस्य पदमुच्चैः सुदुष्करम् ।। निर्गुणप्राप्तये नॄणां प्रतिमालम्बनं स्मृतम् ।। ६४ ।।

sanskrit

It is very difficult to climb to a position without a support. The idol is only a means to achieve the Nirguṇa Śiva.

english translation

AlambanaM vinA tasya padamuccaiH suduSkaram || nirguNaprAptaye nRRNAM pratimAlambanaM smRtam || 64 ||

hk transliteration by Sanscript

siva.sh/siva-purana/rudra-samhita/12/65

सगुणानिर्गुणा प्राप्तिर्भवती सुनिश्चितम् ।। एवं च सर्वदेवानां प्रतिमा प्रत्ययावहा ।।६५।।

sanskrit

The attainment of the Nirguṇa through a Saguṇa is certainly possible. In this manner, the symbols of all lords are conducive to a steady faith and belief.

english translation

saguNAnirguNA prAptirbhavatI sunizcitam || evaM ca sarvadevAnAM pratimA pratyayAvahA ||65||

hk transliteration by Sanscript