Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
धर्मराज उवाच । सर्वे शृणुत मद्वाक्यं सावधानतया गणाः । तदेव प्रीत्या कुरुत मच्छासनपुरस्सरम्
dharmarāja uvāca | sarve śṛṇuta madvākyaṃ sāvadhānatayā gaṇāḥ | tadeva prītyā kuruta macchāsanapurassaram
ധർമ്മരാജൻ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഹേ ഗണങ്ങളേ, എന്റെ വാക്ക് ശ്രദ്ധയോടെ കേൾക്കുവിൻ. പിന്നെ പ്രീതിയോടെ അതേ നിർദ്ദേശം നടപ്പാക്കുവിൻ; എന്റെ ആജ്ഞയെ മുൻപിൽ വെക്കുവിൻ.”
Dharmarāja (Yama)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse emphasizes disciplined attentiveness (sāvadhānatā) and willing obedience to rightful instruction—qualities that purify conduct and align a soul with dharma, which in Shaiva thought supports inner steadiness conducive to Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
While not directly mentioning the Liṅga, it reflects the devotional ethic behind Saguna Shiva worship: hearing sacred instruction attentively and acting upon it with prīti (loving willingness), which is central to ritual observance and service-oriented devotion.
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (attentive listening) followed by obedient practice—approaching Shiva rites (japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” Tripuṇḍra, Rudrākṣa, pūjā) with careful attention and sincere goodwill rather than mechanical habit.