Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
सेव्यसेव्यस्सदा देवश्शंकरस्सर्वदुःखहा । ममापि कथितं तेन ब्रह्म णोऽपि विशेषतः
sevyasevyassadā devaśśaṃkarassarvaduḥkhahā | mamāpi kathitaṃ tena brahma ṇo'pi viśeṣataḥ
सदा सेव्य, सदा देव—शंकर सर्व दुःखांचा नाश करणारे आहेत. हे त्यांनी मलाही सांगितले, आणि विशेषतः ब्रह्मालाही उपदेशिले।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the teaching within Rudra Saṃhitā to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: General siddhānta teaching: Śaṅkara as sarva-duḥkha-hara; worship and surrender lead to removal of duḥkha and bestowal of grace.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It establishes Śaṅkara as the constant and universal refuge—always fit to be worshipped—and affirms that His grace removes all duḥkha (bondage-born sorrow), aligning with the Shaiva view of Śiva as Pati, the liberating Lord.
Calling Śaṅkara “ever worship-worthy” supports steady Saguna upāsanā—approaching Śiva through accessible forms like the Śiva-liṅga—while recognizing Him as the supreme reality who bestows freedom from suffering.
Consistent daily Śiva-pūjā and japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—with a devotional intent to surrender sorrow and bondage to Śaṅkara, the sarva-duḥkha-hā.