Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
शुक्रस्य जठरस्थत्वं तथा मृत्युशमनी-विद्या (Śukra in Śiva’s belly and the death-subduing vidyā)
किंचित्स्मितं तदा कृत्वा सोऽब्रवीद्दानवाधिपम् । भार्गवश्शिवपादाब्जं सप्पा स्वस्थेन चेतसा
kiṃcitsmitaṃ tadā kṛtvā so'bravīddānavādhipam | bhārgavaśśivapādābjaṃ sappā svasthena cetasā
Alors, esquissant un léger sourire, Bhārgava s’adressa au seigneur des Dānavas. Après avoir vénéré avec respect les pieds de lotus de Śiva, il parla d’un esprit stable et recueilli.
Bhārgava
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It presents a Shaiva ideal: before engaging in speech or conflict, one first takes refuge in Pati—Śiva’s lotus-feet—thereby gaining svastha-citta (inner steadiness). Action grounded in devotion becomes aligned with dharma rather than agitation.
Worship of Śiva’s “lotus-feet” points to Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through a sacred form and relationship. In practice, this same bhakti is expressed through Liṅga-pūjā, where the devotee centers the mind and offers reverence before speaking or acting.
A practical takeaway is pūrvāṅga-bhakti: begin any undertaking with mental worship (mānasa-pūjā) of Śiva, steady the breath and mind, and remember the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to establish composure before engagement.