Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51
शिवपुत्रजननवर्णनम् — Description of the Birth/Manifestation of Śiva’s Son
इत्थं यदाऽब्रवीद्वह्निस्तदा त्वं मुनिसत्तम । शंकरप्रेरितः प्रात्थ हृदाग्निमुपकारकः
itthaṃ yadā'bravīdvahnistadā tvaṃ munisattama | śaṃkarapreritaḥ prāttha hṛdāgnimupakārakaḥ
Lorsque Agni parla ainsi, alors toi, ô le plus excellent des sages—poussé par Śaṅkara—tu acceptas ce feu intérieur (l’ardeur du cœur), devenant un bienfaiteur qui en favorisa l’allumage et l’accomplissement.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights that true spiritual transformation is not merely self-driven: the awakening of the “inner fire” (hṛd-agni) occurs under Śiva’s impetus, showing Śaṅkara as the inner governor who turns a seeker into an upakāraka—one who supports dharma and inner purification.
By naming Śaṅkara as the direct prompter, the verse reflects Saguna Śiva’s compassionate governance: devotion to Śiva (often through Liṅga worship) is portrayed as leading to inner ignition—an interiorization of worship where outer reverence matures into inner clarity and ardor.
The practical takeaway is to kindle hṛd-agni through steady japa and contemplation—especially pañcākṣarī remembrance (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—so that Śiva’s grace turns practice into inner purification; if done ritually, it pairs well with simple Śiva-upāsanā such as bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and mantra-japa with a focused heart.