Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
ब्रह्मोवाच । अथाकर्ण्य नुर्तिविष्णुकृतां स्वस्य महेश्वरः । प्रादुर्बभूव सुप्रीतस्सवामं करुणानिधिः
brahmovāca | athākarṇya nurtiviṣṇukṛtāṃ svasya maheśvaraḥ | prādurbabhūva suprītassavāmaṃ karuṇānidhiḥ
Brahmā said: Hearing the dance performed by Viṣṇu for His own sake, Mahādeva—the ocean of compassion—became exceedingly pleased and manifested, together with Vāmā.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It shows that Mahādeva responds to sincere devotion and sacred offering (here, Viṣṇu’s reverential dance), and that Shiva’s grace (karuṇā) culminates in His manifest presence for the devotee’s upliftment.
Shiva ‘manifesting’ emphasizes Saguna worship—when devotion becomes ripe, the Lord becomes accessible in a perceivable form, just as He is approached through the Śiva-liṅga as a merciful, worship-receiving presence.
Offer devotional worship that pleases Shiva—such as mantra-japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), stotra, and rhythmic worship (gīta-nṛtya) with purity—seeking not display but heartfelt reverence.