Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
मानुषं जन्म संप्राप्य दुर्लभं सर्वजंतुषु । तत्रापि सत्कुले देवा दुष्प्राप्यं च मुनीश्वराः
mānuṣaṃ janma saṃprāpya durlabhaṃ sarvajaṃtuṣu | tatrāpi satkule devā duṣprāpyaṃ ca munīśvarāḥ
بين جميع الكائنات الحيّة، إن نيلَ الميلاد الإنساني نادرٌ؛ وحتى مع ذلك، يا أيها الآلهة ويا سادة الحكماء، فإن الولادة في أسرةٍ شريفةٍ فاضلةٍ عسيرةُ المنال للغاية.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it is a dharmic reflection on the rarity of human birth and favorable conditions for sādhana.
Significance: Encourages urgency in sādhana: human birth and satkula are presented as scarce prerequisites for sustained Śiva-bhakti and disciplined practice.
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that human birth—and especially a virtuous upbringing—is a rare karmic opening meant to be used for dharma and Shiva-bhakti, turning the bound soul (paśu) toward liberation through the grace of Pati (Shiva).
By stressing the rarity of favorable birth, it implies urgency: one should use this human opportunity to take refuge in accessible Saguna worship—especially Shiva-linga devotion—which purifies karma and matures the soul toward realization.
The practical takeaway is to not waste human life: begin steady Shiva sadhana such as daily Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Linga-abhisheka with devotion, and adopting Shaiva marks like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) where appropriate.