Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
देवस्तुतिः (Devastuti) — Hymn/Praise of the Devas
गंधर्वाणां चित्ररथो वसूनां पावको ध्रुवम् । मासानामधिमासस्त्वं व्रतानां त्वं चतुर्दशी
gaṃdharvāṇāṃ citraratho vasūnāṃ pāvako dhruvam | māsānāmadhimāsastvaṃ vratānāṃ tvaṃ caturdaśī
Unter den Gandharvas bist du Citraratha; unter den Vasus bist du Pāvaka; du bist Dhruva, der standhafte Polarstern. Unter den Monaten bist du Adhimāsa, der eingeschobene Monat; und unter den Gelübden (Vrata) bist du Caturdaśī, der vierzehnte Tag — das vorzüglichste Gelübde, dir geweiht.
Lord Shiva (praised in a stotra within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative, relayed by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: By identifying Śiva with Dhruva (steadfastness) and sacred calendrical markers (Adhimāsa, Caturdaśī), the verse sacralizes time for worship—key for vrata-based pilgrimage cycles.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
FAQs
The verse presents Shiva as the indwelling supremacy behind all exalted categories—celestial beings, cosmic principles, and sacred time—teaching that the highest greatness in any realm ultimately points to Pati (Shiva), the Lord who grants liberation.
By identifying Shiva with the “best among” sacred measures (like Caturdaśī and Adhimāsa), it supports Saguna worship through time-bound rites—especially Linga-pūjā—where devotees approach the transcendent (Nirguṇa) through a gracious, worshipable form (Saguṇa).
It highlights Caturdaśī as Shiva’s prime vrata—practically observed through fasting, night vigil, and Linga-abhiṣeka with mantra-japa (notably the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), aligning mind and conduct to Shiva-consciousness.