Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
तं देवममृतं रुद्रं कर्मणा तपसापि वा । स्वाध्यायेन च योगेन ध्यानेन च प्रजापते
taṃ devamamṛtaṃ rudraṃ karmaṇā tapasāpi vā | svādhyāyena ca yogena dhyānena ca prajāpate
O Prajāpati, jenem göttlichen, unsterblichen Rudra soll man sich nähern und Ihn verwirklichen durch heiliges Handeln, durch Tapas (Askese), durch Svādhyāya (vedisches Selbststudium), durch Yoga und durch Dhyāna (Meditation).
Lord Shiva (Rudra)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it prescribes upāyas (means) to approach the deathless Rudra—karma, tapas, svādhyāya, yoga, dhyāna—framing soteriology rather than geography.
Significance: Defines ‘pilgrimage’ as disciplined approach (sādhana) culminating in Rudra-realization; emphasizes inner transformation as the true tīrtha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that the immortal Lord Rudra can be attained through multiple Shaiva-approved disciplines—right action, austerity, scriptural recitation, yogic practice, and steady meditation—showing an integrated path toward liberation under Pati (Śiva).
These practices support Saguna worship—ritual action and mantra-recitation directed to Śiva (often in Liṅga form)—and culminate in dhyāna where the devotee internalizes the deity, moving from outer worship to inner realization.
Svādhyāya (repetition/recitation of Śiva mantras such as the Pañcākṣarī), combined with yogic discipline and dhyāna on Rudra; the verse also validates tapas and prescribed karmas (daily worship/rites) as supportive means.