Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
मेना-शिवदर्शन-प्रस्थानम् | Menā’s Quest to Behold Śiva
Departure for Śiva’s Darśana
नायं रुद्रश्शिवास्वामी सेवकोयं शिवस्य वै । इत्यवोचोगपत्न्यै त्वं तावद्वह्निस्स आगतः
nāyaṃ rudraśśivāsvāmī sevakoyaṃ śivasya vai | ityavocogapatnyai tvaṃ tāvadvahnissa āgataḥ
“Dia bukan Rudra, dan bukan pula tuan seperti Śiva; sesungguhnya dia hanyalah pelayan Śiva.” Setelah berkata demikian kepada isteri sang resi, pada saat itu juga Agni, dewa api, pun tiba di sana.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa episode to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It emphasizes Shaiva Siddhanta’s hierarchy: Śiva is Pati (the Supreme Lord), while other powers—even when appearing formidable—are subordinate; spiritual maturity includes recognizing true Lordship and cultivating humility and devotion.
By declaring Śiva as the true Master, it supports Saguna Śiva worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) as devotion directed to the Supreme, not merely to secondary divine functionaries.
The takeaway is bhakti grounded in right knowledge: practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with an attitude of śaraṇāgati (surrender), seeing all other powers as instruments of Śiva.