Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
निरन्वयस्याथ न संति लोकास्तदर्थमिच्छंति जनाः सुरेभ्यः । सदा समाराध्य सुरात्रिपंकजं याचंत इत्थं सुतमेकमेव
niranvayasyātha na saṃti lokāstadarthamicchaṃti janāḥ surebhyaḥ | sadā samārādhya surātripaṃkajaṃ yācaṃta itthaṃ sutamekameva
Von dem, der ohne Geschlecht ist, heißt es, es gebe für ihn keine dauerhafte „Welt“ — keine Fortdauer von Name und Stand. Darum suchen die Menschen dieses Ziel bei den Göttern. Stets verehrend den lotusgleichen Herrn, den auch die Götter anbeten, bitten sie so nur um eines: um einen einzigen Sohn.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It shows how common human aims (like progeny and continuity) are brought to Shiva through worship; in Shaiva Siddhanta, even such desires become purified when offered to Pati (Shiva), turning the heart toward grace and, ultimately, liberation.
The verse emphasizes continual worship of the lotus-like Lord adored by the gods—Saguna Shiva approached through devotion and ritual (often via the Linga). Through Saguna worship, the devotee receives boons while being led toward deeper realization of Shiva’s supreme nature.
Steady daily worship (samārādhana) of Shiva—japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering water and bilva leaves to the Linga, and maintaining purity with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa—aligns desire with dharma and invites Shiva’s anugraha (grace).