Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
देवगुरुप्रेषणम्
Himālaya Mission of the Gods’ Preceptor / The Gods Send Their Guru
पश्य शैलाधिप त्वं च न तस्यैकोस्ति बान्धवः । महारत्नाकरस्त्वञ्च तस्य किञ्चिद्धनं न हि
paśya śailādhipa tvaṃ ca na tasyaikosti bāndhavaḥ | mahāratnākarastvañca tasya kiñciddhanaṃ na hi
Sieh, o Herr der Berge: Er hat nicht einmal einen einzigen Verwandten. Und obgleich du eine große Mine von Juwelen bist, besitzt er keinerlei Reichtum. (Doch äußerer Mangel mindert Śivas Souveränität nicht; Er ist in Sich vollkommen und schenkt den wahren Reichtum—Bhakti und Befreiung.)
An elder/counsellor in Himālaya’s court (addressing Himālaya about Shiva’s outward poverty)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
FAQs
It contrasts worldly measures (family lineage and material wealth) with Shiva’s transcendence: the Lord may appear bereft outwardly, yet He is Pati—the self-sufficient bestower of grace—whose true ‘wealth’ is liberation and bhakti.
Linga-worship emphasizes Shiva’s completeness beyond social status and possessions. Even when approached as Saguna (with form and līlā), the devotee learns to honor Him not for worldly advantage but for inner purification and divine union.
Cultivate vairāgya while offering simple, sincere worship—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and mindful Linga-abhiṣeka—valuing devotion over costly display.