Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46
विष्णोर्दर्शनं स्तुतिश्च
Viṣṇu’s Manifestation and Brahmā’s Hymn
भक्ताधीनौ च तौ तात सुविज्ञेयौ शिवाशिवौ । स्वेच्छया सगुणौ जातौ परब्रह्मस्वरूपिणौ
bhaktādhīnau ca tau tāta suvijñeyau śivāśivau | svecchayā saguṇau jātau parabrahmasvarūpiṇau
হে প্রিয়! জেনে রেখো—শিব ও শিবা (শক্তি) উভয়েই ভক্তের অধীন। পরব্রহ্মস্বরূপ হয়েও তাঁরা স্বেচ্ছায় সগুণ রূপ ধারণ করেন, যাতে ভক্তরা সহজে নিকটবর্তী হয়ে আরাধনা করতে পারে।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva and Shakti, though supreme and transcendent (Parabrahman), lovingly accept a manifest, approachable form for the sake of bhaktas—showing that divine grace responds to devotion.
The verse supports saguna-upasana: the Lord freely assumes knowable attributes and forms, which aligns with Linga worship as a compassionate, accessible focus through which devotees connect to the transcendental reality.
Bhakti-centered worship is implied: daily Linga puja with Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offered with sincerity, understanding that Shiva becomes present to the devotee through willing grace.