Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 36
कैलासमार्गे शङ्करस्य परीक्षा — Śiva Tests the Approachers on the Kailāsa Path
त्वत्पादकमलस्यैव सेवनाद्भुवि मानवाः । नाद्रियन्ते सुरान्रुद लोकैश्वर्यं च भुंजते
tvatpādakamalasyaiva sevanādbhuvi mānavāḥ | nādriyante surānruda lokaiśvaryaṃ ca bhuṃjate
Wahai Rudra, dengan berkhidmat hanya kepada kaki teratai-Mu, manusia di bumi tidak lagi bergantung pada para dewa; mereka menikmati kedaulatan dan kemakmuran di alam-alam semesta.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the Rudra-saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Significance: Establishes Rudra-bhakti as the direct means to loka-aiśvarya (worldly sovereignty) and independence from deva-mediated boons; frames Śiva as the ultimate dispenser of both bhoga and (implicitly) mokṣa.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that single-pointed devotion (sevā) to Rudra’s lotus-feet makes Shiva the primary refuge (Pati), so the devotee is not spiritually dependent on lesser divine agencies for fulfillment and grace.
Serving Shiva’s “lotus-feet” aligns with Saguna worship—approaching Shiva through accessible forms like the Śiva-liṅga, pūjā, and mantra—through which His grace grants both worldly well-being and higher sovereignty rooted in dharma.
Practice daily Śiva-sevā: liṅga-pūjā with water/abhisheka, Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and humble surrender at Shiva’s feet; this is the implied means of gaining Shiva’s favor rather than seeking boons from many devas.