Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
दिव्यरथारोहणम् — Śiva’s Ascent on the Divine Chariot
Pre-battle Portents
नैष्ठिकं द्वादशाब्दं वा तदर्थं वर्षकत्रयम् । शुश्रूषां कारयेद्यस्तु स पशुत्वाद्विमुच्यते
naiṣṭhikaṃ dvādaśābdaṃ vā tadarthaṃ varṣakatrayam | śuśrūṣāṃ kārayedyastu sa paśutvādvimucyate
Celui qui accomplit (ou fait accomplir) pour ce but un service dévot (śuśrūṣā)—soit comme vœu inébranlable de douze ans, soit trois ans comme équivalent—est affranchi de l’état de paśu, l’âme liée.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that sustained, sincere śuśrūṣā (devotional service and disciplined attendance) purifies the bound soul (paśu) and leads toward release from bondage, aligning the devotee with Shiva’s liberating grace (Pati’s anugraha).
In Shaiva practice, service to Shiva’s devotees, temples, and Linga-worship routines is a concrete form of Saguna devotion; such regulated service transforms the paśu’s tendencies and makes the heart fit for Shiva’s presence and blessing.
A long-term vrata centered on śuśrūṣā—regular temple/service duties, assisting in Linga-pūjā, and maintaining disciplined devotion (often supported by japa of Shiva’s mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī) for a fixed period like three or twelve years.