Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 79
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
ईदृशो विरलो लोके गृहाश्रमविवर्जितः । यदि लोके भवत्यस्मिन्दर्शनात्पापहारकः
īdṛśo viralo loke gṛhāśramavivarjitaḥ | yadi loke bhavatyasmindarśanātpāpahārakaḥ
Orang seperti ini amat jarang di dunia—dia yang telah meninggalkan tahap hidup berumah tangga. Jika ada yang demikian di dunia ini, sekadar memandangnya pun menjadikan dia penghapus dosa.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it praises the rare renunciate (gṛhāśrama-vivarjita) whose very darśana removes sin—typical Purāṇic motif of saintly presence as tīrtha.
Significance: Elevates satpuruṣa-darśana as a living pilgrimage: contact with a realized renunciate is said to cleanse pāpa and orient the paśu toward Śiva.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It praises the rarity and spiritual potency of true renunciation: a purified, detached life aligned to Shiva (Pati) becomes so sattvic that even darśana of such a person inspires inner cleansing and reduces pāpa.
In Shaiva tradition, the saint’s purity is understood as arising from steadfast devotion to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga-worship and mantra), making the devotee a living conduit of Shiva’s grace (anugraha) for others.
Seek satsanga and darśana of Shiva-bhaktas, and support it with daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined purity; the verse emphasizes transformative contact with the holy.