We are used to thinking of the Trimurthi, the aspects of the Parabrahma.
In the Siva Mahapuranam, Vyasa refers to four, Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and Rudra who are aspects of Mahesvara, Siva.
This implies that Rudra was not identified as Siva by Vyasa at the time of composing this shlokam. (See Third Adhyaya)
That I find very interesting because it contradicts the theory that the Vedic Rudra was identified with Siva at Puranic time.
It also shows that Indra and Rudra were important and comparable to Brahma and Vishnu in this shlokam. Perhaps the balance shifted later?
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