Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
एतस्मिन्नेव समये कश्चिन्माहेश्वरो नरः । सहोपहारानादाय नगराद्बहिरभ्यगात्
etasminneva samaye kaścinmāheśvaro naraḥ | sahopahārānādāya nagarādbahirabhyagāt
Gerade zu jener Zeit nahm ein Mann, der Mahādeva ergeben war, Opfergaben an sich und ging aus der Stadt hinaus.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: A generic Māheśvara devotee emerges as the narrative vehicle through whom Śiva’s grace will reach another (the hungry brahmin youth).
Significance: Highlights the Siddhānta theme that contact with Śiva-bhakti and Śiva’s worship (even indirectly) becomes a conduit of anugraha for the bound soul.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis that sincere devotion (bhakti) expressed through worshipful action—carrying offerings for Shiva—becomes a purifying step that turns ordinary life toward Pati (Lord Shiva).
A “māheśvara” is portrayed engaging in outward worship with offerings, pointing to Saguna Shiva devotion as a practical means to approach the transcendent Lord, often through Linga-puja and temple-oriented reverence.
The verse suggests preparing and carrying upahāras (offerings) for Shiva-puja; this can be paired with mental japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while going to worship.