Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
ऋषय ऊचुः । धौम्याग्रजेन शिशुना क्षीरार्थं हि तपः कृतम् । तस्मात्क्षीरार्णवो दत्तस्तस्मै देवेन शूलिना
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | dhaumyāgrajena śiśunā kṣīrārthaṃ hi tapaḥ kṛtam | tasmātkṣīrārṇavo dattastasmai devena śūlinā
Les sages dirent : «En vérité, l’enfant—frère aîné de Dhaumya—accomplit des austérités afin d’obtenir du lait. C’est pourquoi le Dieu porteur du trident, le Seigneur Śiva, lui accorda l’Océan de Lait.»
The sages (ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: A child performs tapas for kṣīra (milk); Śiva (Śūlin) grants a miraculous boon described as ‘Kṣīrārṇava’ (Milk-Ocean), functioning as a purāṇic exemplum of Śiva’s anugraha responding to tapas.
Significance: Frames Śiva as the boon-giver whose grace can transform scarcity into plenitude; encourages tapas and Śiva-bhakti as direct means to divine favor.
FAQs
It teaches that sincere tapas performed with a clear intent, when offered in devotion to Pati (Śiva), bears fruit by His grace—showing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on divine bestowal rather than mere self-effort.
Śiva is praised here as Śūlin (the trident-bearing Saguna form), indicating that personal devotion to Śiva’s manifest form leads to tangible blessings, which in turn supports the devotee’s dharma and spiritual progress.
The verse highlights tapas: a practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with purity disciplines (simple vrata, restraint, and offering), seeking Śiva’s grace for one’s rightful needs.