Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
एतस्मिन्नेव समये कश्चिन्माहेश्वरो नरः । सहोपहारानादाय नगराद्बहिरभ्यगात्
etasminneva samaye kaścinmāheśvaro naraḥ | sahopahārānādāya nagarādbahirabhyagāt
Nesse exato momento, um homem devoto de Mahādeva tomou consigo as oferendas e saiu da cidade.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: A generic Māheśvara devotee emerges as the narrative vehicle through whom Śiva’s grace will reach another (the hungry brahmin youth).
Significance: Highlights the Siddhānta theme that contact with Śiva-bhakti and Śiva’s worship (even indirectly) becomes a conduit of anugraha for the bound soul.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis that sincere devotion (bhakti) expressed through worshipful action—carrying offerings for Shiva—becomes a purifying step that turns ordinary life toward Pati (Lord Shiva).
A “māheśvara” is portrayed engaging in outward worship with offerings, pointing to Saguna Shiva devotion as a practical means to approach the transcendent Lord, often through Linga-puja and temple-oriented reverence.
The verse suggests preparing and carrying upahāras (offerings) for Shiva-puja; this can be paired with mental japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while going to worship.