Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
कुमाराद्भुतचरितवर्णनम् — Description of Kumāra’s Wondrous Deeds
स विप्रः प्राप्य निकटं कार्त्तिकस्य प्रसन्नधीः । स्वाभिप्रायं समाचख्यौ सुप्रणम्य शुभैः स्तवैः
sa vipraḥ prāpya nikaṭaṃ kārttikasya prasannadhīḥ | svābhiprāyaṃ samācakhyau supraṇamya śubhaiḥ stavaiḥ
Ce brāhmane, s’étant approché de Kārttikeya l’esprit paisible et limpide, se prosterna d’abord profondément et le loua par des hymnes de bon augure; puis il exposa clairement son intention.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva ethic of approaching the divine with prasanna-dhī (a purified, peaceful intellect): first reverence and stotra, then one’s request—showing humility, devotion, and inner readiness to receive grace.
The pattern mirrors Saguna worship central to the Shiva Purana—pranama and stuti prior to artha (petition). Whether before the Shiva-linga or a Shaiva deity like Kārttikeya, devotion expressed through hymns becomes the doorway to divine response.
Begin worship with pranama and śubha-stava (auspicious praise), steady the mind into calm clarity, and only then state the sankalpa (intention)—a practical template that can accompany japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” or any Shaiva prayer.