Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
देवस्तुतिः — Hymn of Praise by the Devas
Devastuti
सर्वस्त्रीभोगनिरतो दुर्जनस्तव सेवया । विमुक्तोऽभूदपि सदा भक्ष्यभोजी महेश्वर
sarvastrībhoganirato durjanastava sevayā | vimukto'bhūdapi sadā bhakṣyabhojī maheśvara
おおマヘーシュヴァラよ、あらゆる女との享楽に耽る悪人でさえ、あなたへの奉仕によって解脱する。されど残る習気のゆえに、なお「食すべきもののみを食す者」として留まることもある。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Pashupatinatha
Sthala Purana: General doctrinal statement in exemplum-series: even the morally dissolute can be ‘vimukta’ by Śiva-sevā; the closing phrase hints at residual saṃskāras being regulated into dhārmic conduct.
Significance: Frames temple service (sevā) as a direct means to purification and liberation; also teaches gradual transformation—residual tendencies are disciplined rather than instantly erased.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It emphasizes Shiva’s anugraha (grace): even a person sunk in severe misconduct can be freed through sincere seva (devotional service), showing that devotion to Pati (Shiva) can cut the bonds (pāśa) of karma and impurity.
Seva here aligns with Saguna Shiva worship—approaching Maheshvara through tangible acts like Linga-puja, offerings, and temple service—by which the devotee’s conduct is purified and the mind becomes fit for higher realization.
Regular Shiva-seva such as Linga-abhisheka, japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and disciplined purity in food and conduct—hinted by “bhakṣya-bhojī” (eating what is proper).