Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
नन्दाव्रत-समाप्तिः तथा शङ्करस्य प्रत्यक्ष-दर्शनम्
Completion of the Nandā-vrata and Śiva’s Direct Appearance
ततो भावान्समादाय शृंगाराख्यो रसस्तदा । तयोश्चित्ते विवेशाशु कला हावा यथोदितम्
tato bhāvānsamādāya śṛṃgārākhyo rasastadā | tayościtte viveśāśu kalā hāvā yathoditam
Puis, rassemblant les dispositions intérieures convenables, s’éleva le rasa nommé Śṛṅgāra (l’amour). Comme il est dit, ses expressions subtiles—grâce artistique et gestes amoureux—entrèrent promptement dans le cœur de tous deux.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: creative
FAQs
It shows how human-like emotions, when refined (kalā) and harmonized (bhāva), can become a sacred channel that draws the heart toward Śiva—turning ordinary attraction into devotion aligned with dharma.
The verse supports Saguna devotion: Śiva is approached through relatable qualities and loving intimacy. Such purified feeling stabilizes the mind, making it fit for Linga-upāsanā where emotion matures into steady bhakti and reverence.
A practical takeaway is bhāva-śuddhi: sit in japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and consciously offer rising emotions into Śiva as devotion—using the mind’s movements as an inner oblation rather than distraction.