Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्ताश्च तदा देवाः प्रणिपत्य हरिं स्वयम् । लिंगानि प्रार्थयामासुस्सर्वकामाप्तये नृणाम्
brahmovāca | ityuktāśca tadā devāḥ praṇipatya hariṃ svayam | liṃgāni prārthayāmāsussarvakāmāptaye nṛṇām
ब्रह्मा बोले—ऐसा कहे जाने पर देवताओं ने तब स्वयं हरि को प्रणाम किया और मनुष्यों के समस्त धर्म्य कामों की सिद्धि हेतु शिवलिंगों की प्रार्थना की।
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The devas, seeking a universal means for human welfare, petition Hari so that Śiva-liṅgas may manifest as accessible supports for worship, enabling dharmic fulfillment and eventual liberation.
Significance: Frames liṅga-worship as a grace-mediated upāya for humans: righteous desire-fulfillment (sarvakāma) leading toward Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
The verse presents the liṅga as a compassionate, accessible form of Saguna Śiva worship established for the welfare of humanity—supporting dharma, devotion, and the gradual rise toward liberation through grace.
It explicitly frames liṅga-worship as a divinely sanctioned means for humans to approach Śiva in a tangible form; even the devas petition for it, showing the liṅga’s centrality as an altar of presence for devotion and merit.
The practical takeaway is liṅga-pūjā—especially abhiṣeka with water/milk, offering bilva leaves, and japa of Śiva-mantras (notably the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a wish aligned to dharma.