Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
तस्मात्सदा पूजनीयो लिंगमूर्तिधरी हरः । सेवनीयो विशेषेण श्रद्धया देवसत्तमः
tasmātsadā pūjanīyo liṃgamūrtidharī haraḥ | sevanīyo viśeṣeṇa śraddhayā devasattamaḥ
Ainsi, Hara—qui porte la forme du Liṅga—doit être adoré en tout temps ; ce suprême parmi les dieux doit être servi avec révérence, avec une dévotion et une foi particulières.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the teaching of Rudra Saṃhitā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-theology: Śiva is to be approached in liṅga-mūrti as the accessible, grace-bestowing form; worship is prescribed as the remedy to Māyā-distance.
Significance: Establishes liṅga-pūjā as the normative Śaiva upāya: constant worship with śraddhā draws the devotee from bondage toward Śiva’s grace.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse establishes that the Liṅga is a sacred, accessible manifestation of Pati (Śiva) for devotees, and that worship (pūjā) and devoted service (sevā) performed with śraddhā become a direct means for grace and upliftment.
By calling Śiva “liṅgamūrtidharī,” it affirms the Liṅga as a Saguna form through which the formless Lord is approached—so regular worship and attentive service to the Liṅga are presented as central Shaiva practice.
It points to nitya-liṅga-pūjā (daily Shiva Linga worship) and sevā with faith—such as offering water, bilva leaves, and mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) with a reverent, steady mind.