Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
शिवानुकम्पा, ब्रह्मणो निर्भयत्वं च (Śiva’s Compassion and Brahmā’s Fearlessness)
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचश्शम्भोर्बहुलीलाकृतः प्रभोः । स्पृशन् स्वं कं तथा भूत्वा प्राणमं वृषभध्वजम्
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya vacaśśambhorbahulīlākṛtaḥ prabhoḥ | spṛśan svaṃ kaṃ tathā bhūtvā prāṇamaṃ vṛṣabhadhvajam
Brahmā dit : Ayant ainsi entendu les paroles de Śambhu, le Seigneur qui se joue en d’innombrables līlās merveilleuses, je touchai mon propre corps et, devenu humble et recueilli, je me prosternai avec révérence devant Śiva, Celui dont l’étendard porte le taureau.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva principle that even Brahmā, a cosmic authority, attains right orientation through śravaṇa (hearing Śiva’s words) and vinaya (humility), expressed as pranāma to Pati (the Supreme Lord).
By naming Śiva as Śambhu and Vṛṣabhadhvaja (a Saguna identifier), the verse supports devotion to Śiva with attributes—approaching the transcendent through reverent worship and surrender, which also underlies Liṅga-upāsanā.
The practical takeaway is pranāma and attentive listening to scripture (śravaṇa). In worship, this aligns with beginning pūjā by mentally bowing to Śiva (often with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before offering.