The Highest Reality is verily SHIVA, who is without a second. SHIVA is truly one and there is no place for a second. SHIVA rules (isata) these worlds with His enormous powers (isanibhi). He stands apart from all creatures (pratyan janan) and He is the protector of all the worlds (visvabhuvana gopa). At the end of creation He withdraws these worlds into Himself. SHIVA is the source and origin of all gods, the ruler of them and as Iswara gives birth to Hiranyagarbha, the golden germ. White in color (aditya varnam), beyond darkness and ignorance (tamasa parastat), He alone can take us beyond the cycle of births and deaths. There is nothing else that is higher or smaller than Him. He alone pervades the whole universe. "Sa bhagavan tasmat sarva-gatas sivah." He is the Lord and SHIVA is therefore found everywhere.