Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
इत्येतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा गतास्ते हि मया सह । यत्रास्ते भगवान्विष्णुस्सर्वेषां हितकारकः
ityetadvacanaṃ śrutvā gatāste hi mayā saha | yatrāste bhagavānviṣṇussarveṣāṃ hitakārakaḥ
Als sie diese Worte hörten, gingen sie wahrlich mit mir dorthin, wo der Herr Viṣṇu weilte—der zum Wohle aller wirkt (aus śaivischer Sicht entfaltet sich Viṣṇus Wohltätigkeit innerhalb der kosmischen Ordnung Śivas und dient der Harmonie der Schöpfung).
Brahmā (narrating within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa creation account)
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: Approach to Viṣṇu’s abode as part of a coordinated divine action in the creation-cycle.
FAQs
It highlights cooperative cosmic governance: beings move toward Viṣṇu, described as the universal benefactor, while the Śaiva lens understands such welfare as ultimately sustained by Śiva’s supreme sovereignty (Pati) guiding creation toward order and liberation.
Even when the narrative centers on Viṣṇu, the Rudra Saṃhitā frames the cosmos as functioning through divine roles; for devotees, Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship recognizes Śiva as the ultimate source and regulator in whom all divine functions find their ground.
The practical takeaway is saṅkalpa for loka-hita (welfare of all) paired with Śiva-smaraṇa—e.g., japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while dedicating actions to universal good, a core ethic repeatedly affirmed in Śaiva devotion.