Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
इदमन्नं मया ग्राह्यं शिवायोपकृतं निशि । सुप्ते शैवजने दैवात्सर्वस्मिन्विविधं महत्
idamannaṃ mayā grāhyaṃ śivāyopakṛtaṃ niśi | supte śaivajane daivātsarvasminvividhaṃ mahat
Cette nourriture, je dois la prendre—préparée dans la nuit comme naivedya, offrande destinée à Śiva. Par ordonnance divine, lorsque les fidèles śaiva s’étaient endormis, une grande profusion de mets se trouvait partout.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudrasaṃhitā account to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights the Śaiva ethic that naivedya is Śiva’s property (īśvara-dravya); misappropriation becomes pāśa (bondage) while reverent offering becomes a doorway to anugraha.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva principle that even ordinary acts like preparing and accepting food become liberating when dedicated to Śiva as seva (service). The emphasis is on intention—offering first to Pati (Śiva) and living in remembrance of Him.
Food prepared “for Śiva” points to naivedya offered to Saguna Śiva—often through the Śiva-liṅga in ritual worship. The devotee’s act of offering and accepting prasāda reinforces the relationship of pashu (individual soul) relying on Pati (Lord Śiva).
It implies night-time Śiva worship with naivedya (food offering), followed by receiving it as prasāda with reverence—ideally while repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and maintaining a pure, devotional intention.