Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras
न स्वार्थं मे प्रवृत्तिर्हि सम्यक्स्वार्थविचिंतनात् । तथापि तत्करिष्यामि भवदुक्तं जगद्धितम्
na svārthaṃ me pravṛttirhi samyaksvārthaviciṃtanāt | tathāpi tatkariṣyāmi bhavaduktaṃ jagaddhitam
Meine Handlungen entspringen nicht persönlichem Gewinn, denn ich habe recht erkannt, worin wahrer Eigennutz besteht. Dennoch werde ich tun, was du gesagt hast, weil es dem Wohl der ganzen Welt dient.
Satī (Pārvatī in her incarnation as Satī)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches niṣkāma resolve grounded in discernment: when one understands “true self-interest” as alignment with dharma and Shiva’s grace, personal desire falls away and action becomes jagat-hita (welfare of all).
In Shaiva practice, worship of the Linga (Saguna Shiva as an accessible support) trains the devotee to surrender egoic motives; this verse mirrors that surrender—doing what is instructed because it serves the cosmic good upheld by Shiva.
Adopt niṣkāma-bhāva during Shiva-pūjā: offer actions mentally at the Linga while repeating the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” dedicating the fruit of worship to jagat-hita rather than personal gain.