Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 30
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
विषमालोक्य वा पेयं श्रेयो वा स्पर्शनं परम् । सेवितव्यं शिवस्वं न प्राणः कण्ठगतैरपि
viṣamālokya vā peyaṃ śreyo vā sparśanaṃ param | sevitavyaṃ śivasvaṃ na prāṇaḥ kaṇṭhagatairapi
Selbst wenn man gezwungen wäre, Gift anzusehen oder es gar zu trinken, und selbst wenn das höchste Heil durch eine bloße Berührung zu erlangen wäre—so darf man doch niemals an sich nehmen oder genießen, was Śiva gehört; nicht einmal, wenn das Leben schon an der Kehle hängt, in äußerster Not.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches unwavering dharma toward Śiva: never exploit what is consecrated to Him, even under fear, temptation, or life-threatening pressure—true devotion is steadfast integrity.
In Liṅga/Saguṇa worship, items offered to Śiva (naivedya, flowers, wealth, temple resources) become Śiva’s sacred possession; misappropriating them is treated as a serious breach of bhakti and temple-dharma.
Practice disciplined offering and restraint: dedicate acts and possessions to Śiva, avoid taking back what is offered, and reinforce devotion through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a vow of non-appropriation.