Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्
The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms
ब्रह्मोवाच । युक्तमेतन्महाभाग दत्तोऽहं शंभुना च ते । तदुक्तं याचते मेऽद्य देहि विष्णो नमोऽस्तु ते
brahmovāca | yuktametanmahābhāga datto'haṃ śaṃbhunā ca te | taduktaṃ yācate me'dya dehi viṣṇo namo'stu te
ബ്രഹ്മാവ് പറഞ്ഞു—“ഹേ മഹാഭാഗ, ഇത് യുക്തമാണ്. ശംഭു എന്നെ നിനക്കു ഏല്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. അതിനാൽ ഇന്ന് പറഞ്ഞതുതന്നെ ഞാൻ യാചിക്കുന്നു; ഹേ വിഷ്ണോ, ദയവായി നൽകുക—നമസ്കാരം.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Mantra: namo'stu te
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: Delegation/commission in cosmogony: Brahmā acknowledges being ‘entrusted’ (datta) by Śiva and petitions Viṣṇu accordingly
FAQs
The verse highlights that even Brahmā acts under Śiva’s ordinance (ājñā). From a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, it emphasizes Pati (Śiva) as the supreme governor, and the spiritual value of humility and surrender while fulfilling one’s cosmic duty.
Brahmā explicitly cites Śambhu’s authority, reflecting Saguna Śiva as the personal Lord who commands and guides the functions of creation and preservation. Linga-worship similarly trains the devotee to recognize Śiva as the governing Presence behind all divine roles.
The key takeaway is śaraṇāgati (reverent surrender) expressed through namaskāra and obedient action. Practically, one may accompany daily Śiva-pūjā with the Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a conscious offering of one’s intentions to Śiva’s will.