Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
सेव्यसेव्यस्सदा देवश्शंकरस्सर्वदुःखहा । ममापि कथितं तेन ब्रह्म णोऽपि विशेषतः
sevyasevyassadā devaśśaṃkarassarvaduḥkhahā | mamāpi kathitaṃ tena brahma ṇo'pi viśeṣataḥ
Toujours digne d’adoration, toujours Seigneur suprême, Śaṅkara est celui qui ôte toute souffrance. Cela fut déclaré même à moi; et, tout particulièrement, il l’enseigna aussi à Brahmā.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the teaching within Rudra Saṃhitā to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: General siddhānta teaching: Śaṅkara as sarva-duḥkha-hara; worship and surrender lead to removal of duḥkha and bestowal of grace.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It establishes Śaṅkara as the constant and universal refuge—always fit to be worshipped—and affirms that His grace removes all duḥkha (bondage-born sorrow), aligning with the Shaiva view of Śiva as Pati, the liberating Lord.
Calling Śaṅkara “ever worship-worthy” supports steady Saguna upāsanā—approaching Śiva through accessible forms like the Śiva-liṅga—while recognizing Him as the supreme reality who bestows freedom from suffering.
Consistent daily Śiva-pūjā and japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—with a devotional intent to surrender sorrow and bondage to Śaṅkara, the sarva-duḥkha-hā.