Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
ऋषय ऊचुः । धौम्याग्रजेन शिशुना क्षीरार्थं हि तपः कृतम् । तस्मात्क्षीरार्णवो दत्तस्तस्मै देवेन शूलिना
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | dhaumyāgrajena śiśunā kṣīrārthaṃ hi tapaḥ kṛtam | tasmātkṣīrārṇavo dattastasmai devena śūlinā
The sages said: “Indeed, the child—the elder brother of Dhaumya—performed austerities for the sake of obtaining milk. Therefore, the Trident-bearing God, Lord Śiva, granted him the Ocean of Milk.”
The sages (ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: A child performs tapas for kṣīra (milk); Śiva (Śūlin) grants a miraculous boon described as ‘Kṣīrārṇava’ (Milk-Ocean), functioning as a purāṇic exemplum of Śiva’s anugraha responding to tapas.
Significance: Frames Śiva as the boon-giver whose grace can transform scarcity into plenitude; encourages tapas and Śiva-bhakti as direct means to divine favor.
FAQs
It teaches that sincere tapas performed with a clear intent, when offered in devotion to Pati (Śiva), bears fruit by His grace—showing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on divine bestowal rather than mere self-effort.
Śiva is praised here as Śūlin (the trident-bearing Saguna form), indicating that personal devotion to Śiva’s manifest form leads to tangible blessings, which in turn supports the devotee’s dharma and spiritual progress.
The verse highlights tapas: a practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with purity disciplines (simple vrata, restraint, and offering), seeking Śiva’s grace for one’s rightful needs.
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