Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
तस्मात्सदा पूजनीयो लिंगमूर्तिधरी हरः । सेवनीयो विशेषेण श्रद्धया देवसत्तमः
tasmātsadā pūjanīyo liṃgamūrtidharī haraḥ | sevanīyo viśeṣeṇa śraddhayā devasattamaḥ
അതുകൊണ്ട് ലിംഗമൂർത്തി ധരിച്ച ഹരൻ (ശിവൻ) എപ്പോഴും പൂജ്യൻ; ദേവസത്തമനായ ആ പ്രഭുവിനെ പ്രത്യേക ശ്രദ്ധയും ഭക്തിയുംകൊണ്ട് സേവിക്കണം।
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the teaching of Rudra Saṃhitā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-theology: Śiva is to be approached in liṅga-mūrti as the accessible, grace-bestowing form; worship is prescribed as the remedy to Māyā-distance.
Significance: Establishes liṅga-pūjā as the normative Śaiva upāya: constant worship with śraddhā draws the devotee from bondage toward Śiva’s grace.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse establishes that the Liṅga is a sacred, accessible manifestation of Pati (Śiva) for devotees, and that worship (pūjā) and devoted service (sevā) performed with śraddhā become a direct means for grace and upliftment.
By calling Śiva “liṅgamūrtidharī,” it affirms the Liṅga as a Saguna form through which the formless Lord is approached—so regular worship and attentive service to the Liṅga are presented as central Shaiva practice.
It points to nitya-liṅga-pūjā (daily Shiva Linga worship) and sevā with faith—such as offering water, bilva leaves, and mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) with a reverent, steady mind.