Shloka 3
अलकापतेः तपः-लिङ्गप्रतिष्ठा च वरप्राप्तिः / The Lord of Alakā: Austerity, Liṅga-Establishment, and the Receiving of a Boon
व्यतीते तत्र कल्पे वै प्रवृत्ते मेघवाहने । याज्ञदत्तिरसौ श्रीदस्तपस्तेपे सुदुस्सहम्
vyatīte tatra kalpe vai pravṛtte meghavāhane | yājñadattirasau śrīdastapastepe sudussaham
When that aeon had passed and the new kalpa called “Meghavāhana” had begun, the venerable Śrīdāsa—known as Yājñadatti—undertook an exceedingly difficult austerity.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It establishes the karmic-spiritual backdrop: in a new cosmic cycle, a devotee begins severe tapas, highlighting the Shaiva principle that disciplined austerity, offered with devotion, becomes a means for Shiva’s grace to remove bonds (pāśa) and elevate the soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati).
Though the Liṅga is not named here, the narrative pattern in the Rudra Saṃhitā commonly frames tapas as preparation for Saguna Shiva’s compassionate manifestation—often culminating in a boon, vision, or establishment of a form of worship that later supports Liṅga-oriented devotion.
The takeaway is steadfast tapas: regulated vows, purity, and sustained meditation on Shiva—typically supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and observances like fasting and disciplined restraint.