Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 34
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
मृण्मयं चैव विप्रेंद्रा विप्रपत्न्यस्तथैव च । चांदनं च मयो नागाः प्रवालमयमादरात्
mṛṇmayaṃ caiva vipreṃdrā viprapatnyastathaiva ca | cāṃdanaṃ ca mayo nāgāḥ pravālamayamādarāt
Ô le meilleur des brāhmaṇas, les épouses des brāhmaṇas préparèrent des offrandes d’argile ; et les Nāgas, avec révérence, préparèrent des offrandes de bois de santal et aussi façonnées de corail.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: Universalization of liṅga-worship: even non-human communities (nāgas) and household devotees participate using accessible substances
FAQs
It emphasizes that Shiva accepts devotion expressed through any sincere offering—whether humble clay or precious substances—because bhakti (reverent intent) is primary, not the material’s price.
The verse reflects Saguna worship where devotees honor Shiva through tangible upacāras (offerings). In Linga-pūjā, varied materials symbolize the devotee’s inner surrender, while Shiva remains the supreme Pati who graciously receives their devotion.
Offer what is available with ādarā (reverence) during Shiva-pūjā—such as gandha (sandalwood paste) or simple earthen items—while mentally repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” to keep the offering inwardly consecrated.