Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras
रुद्र उवाच । हहर हावध देवा मुनयश्चाद्य निर्भयाः । निजागमनहेतुं हि कथयस्व सुतत्त्वतः
rudra uvāca | hahara hāvadha devā munayaścādya nirbhayāḥ | nijāgamanahetuṃ hi kathayasva sutattvataḥ
രുദ്രൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഹാ ഹാ! മതി—ഭയപ്പെടേണ്ട, ദേവന്മാരേയും ആദിമുനിമാരേയും. നിങ്ങളുടെ വരവിന്റെ യഥാർത്ഥ കാര്യം സത്തത്ത്വപ്രകാരം എനിക്ക് പറയുക।”
Lord Shiva (Rudra)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Role: teaching
FAQs
Rudra reassures the Devas and sages and asks them to speak “sutattvataḥ”—truthfully and in alignment with ultimate reality—showing that sincere, fear-free truthfulness is central when approaching Pati (Shiva), the liberating Lord.
The verse reflects the devotional dynamic of Saguna Shiva: devotees and celestial beings approach the Lord, and Shiva invites an honest statement of intention. In Linga-worship too, the devotee is guided to present prayers and vows with clarity and truth, not with anxiety.
A practical takeaway is “satya-saṅkalpa” (truthful resolve): begin Shiva worship—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’—by calmly stating one’s purpose, offering fear and agitation into Shiva, and proceeding with steady devotion.