Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2
केवलामुष्मिकविधिः — The Rite for Exclusive Otherworldly Attainment
Liṅga-Abhiṣeka and Padma-Pūjā Protocol
पुण्यातिशयसंयुक्तः सर्वैर्देवैरनुष्ठितः । ब्रह्मणा विष्णुना चैव रुद्रेण च विशेषतः
puṇyātiśayasaṃyuktaḥ sarvairdevairanuṣṭhitaḥ | brahmaṇā viṣṇunā caiva rudreṇa ca viśeṣataḥ
Erfüllt von außergewöhnlichem Verdienst wurde es von allen Devas vollzogen — von Brahmā, von Viṣṇu und ganz besonders von Rudra (Śiva).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames a supremely meritorious observance (anuṣṭhāna) endorsed by the entire divine hierarchy, highlighting Rudra’s primacy in conferring its fruit.
Significance: General: establishes that Śiva-centered observance is universally authoritative; merit accrues through alignment with Pati (Śiva) beyond sectarian boundaries.
FAQs
The verse highlights that the highest merit is linked to acts aligned with Rudra, implying that even Deva-performed rites find their fullest sanctity when oriented toward Śiva, the supreme Pati whose grace elevates merit toward liberation.
By stating that Rudra is foremost among the Devas in this meritorious observance, the text implicitly supports Saguna Śiva worship—such as Linga-pūjā—as a Deva-sanctioned path where devotion and rite converge to yield exceptional spiritual fruit.
A key takeaway is to perform Śiva-centered observances with heightened faith—such as Linga worship accompanied by the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—since the verse emphasizes that the greatest merit is especially connected with Rudra.