Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
तान्दृष्ट्वा च तदा विष्णुर्ब्रह्माद्यानमरान्स्थितान् । स्मरञ्छिवपदांभोजमब्रवीत्परमं वचः
tāndṛṣṭvā ca tadā viṣṇurbrahmādyānamarānsthitān | smarañchivapadāṃbhojamabravītparamaṃ vacaḥ
Ketika itu, Viṣṇu melihat Brahmā dan para makhluk abadi lain berhimpun; sambil mengingati kaki Śiva yang laksana teratai, baginda mengucapkan kata-kata yang maha luhur.
Vishnu
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: śiva-padāmbhoja-smaraṇa (implicit; not quoted as a fixed mantra)
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Inter-deity council: Viṣṇu prepares to speak after invoking Śiva’s feet—signaling Śiva’s overarching sovereignty in the cosmic administration.
FAQs
It presents Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) whose lotus-feet are the highest refuge; even Viṣṇu turns inward in remembrance before speaking, showing that true authority arises from devotion and surrender to Śiva.
Remembering Śiva’s lotus-feet is a classic Saguna focus for bhakti and dhyāna; in Linga worship the devotee similarly approaches Śiva through a sacred form, cultivating reverence, purity, and surrender to the Supreme.
Pada-dhyāna (meditation on Śiva’s lotus-feet) along with japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a devotional preparation before prayer, counsel, or ritual.