Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
सतीप्राप्तिविषये ब्रह्मरुद्रसंवादः | The Brahmā–Śiva Dialogue on Attaining Satī
ब्रह्मोवाच । सत्यर्थं यन्मम सुतो वदति स्म वृषध्वज । तच्छ्रणुष्व निजासाध्य सिद्धमित्यवधारय
brahmovāca | satyarthaṃ yanmama suto vadati sma vṛṣadhvaja | tacchraṇuṣva nijāsādhya siddhamityavadhāraya
Brahmā bersabda: “Wahai Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva, yang panjinya bergambar lembu), kata-kata anakku itu sungguh bermakna. Dengarlah; ketahuilah ia sebagai jalanmu sendiri yang tidak pernah gagal, telah pun teguh sebagai kepastian.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse emphasizes śraddhā and niścaya (firm certainty): when true instruction is given, it should be heard and internalized as a proven means. In Shaiva understanding, right hearing and conviction prepare the soul to receive Shiva’s grace.
By addressing Shiva as Vṛṣadhvaja, the text points to Saguna Shiva—approachable through devotion and worship. The instruction to “listen and ascertain” aligns with receiving authorized guidance for Shiva-upāsanā, including Linga worship as a reliable path.
The practical takeaway is disciplined śravaṇa (attentive listening) and dhāraṇā (firm retention) of Shiva’s teachings—often expressed as steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with devotional certainty.