Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 68
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
एवस्मात्कारणाद्विप्राः श्रूयतां परमार्थतः । स्वजात्युक्तं तु यत्कर्म कर्तव्यं तत्प्रयत्नतः
evasmātkāraṇādviprāḥ śrūyatāṃ paramārthataḥ | svajātyuktaṃ tu yatkarma kartavyaṃ tatprayatnataḥ
Ainsi donc, ô sages brāhmaṇas, écoutez la vérité suprême : le devoir prescrit pour sa propre condition selon la naissance doit être accompli avec un effort sincère et assidu.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a single shrine; it pivots from the arcā/jñāna discussion to dharma as stabilizing discipline for embodied souls.
Significance: General: pilgrimage and temple life are framed within dharma—performing one’s prescribed duties with effort supports purification and readiness for Śiva-jñāna.
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual progress begins with disciplined fulfillment of one’s rightful duties (svadharma), done sincerely—making the mind fit for Shiva-bhakti and, ultimately, Shiva’s grace that loosens the bonds of karma.
In the Shiva Purana, outward worship of Saguna Shiva (including Linga-puja) is strengthened when one’s life is grounded in dharma; proper conduct and duty make devotion steady and the results of worship spiritually fruitful.
The verse emphasizes earnest practice: perform daily duties with purity and then support them with Shiva-smarana—such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and regular Linga worship according to one’s capacity.