Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः
Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi
ततो व्यासेन वै श्रुत्वा शिवपूजादिकं च यत् । मह्यं च पाठितं तेन लोकानां हितकाम्यया
tato vyāsena vai śrutvā śivapūjādikaṃ ca yat | mahyaṃ ca pāṭhitaṃ tena lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā
Ensuite, ayant véritablement entendu de Vyāsa tout ce qui concerne le culte de Śiva et les observances qui s’y rattachent, je fus moi aussi instruit par lui, car il désirait le bien de tous les êtres.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Frames Śiva-pūjā as universal welfare-teaching (lokānāṃ hita), implying that hearing/learning proper worship is itself a meritorious sādhana leading to dharma, artha, kāma, and ultimately Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It highlights the guru-paramparā: sacred knowledge of Śiva-pūjā is preserved and transmitted for loka-hita (the welfare of all), indicating that devotion and correct practice are meant to uplift the entire world toward Śiva’s grace and liberation.
By mentioning “śiva-pūjā-ādikam,” the verse points to structured, teachable worship—commonly expressed through Saguna upāsanā such as Liṅga-pūjā—through which devotees approach Śiva and receive his anugraha (grace).
The verse implies disciplined Śiva-pūjā learned from a competent teacher—typically including mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with associated observances that support steady bhakti.