Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 62
नारदस्य विष्णूपदेशवर्णनम् — Nārada and Viṣṇu: Instruction after Delusion
ब्रह्मस्वहरणं कृत्वा हत्वापि ब्राह्मणान्बहून् । लिप्यते नरः पापैर्विरूपाक्षस्य सेवकः
brahmasvaharaṇaṃ kṛtvā hatvāpi brāhmaṇānbahūn | lipyate naraḥ pāpairvirūpākṣasya sevakaḥ
Ainda que tenha roubado os bens de um brâmane, e ainda que tenha matado muitos brâmanes, a pessoa que é sevaka—servo devoto—de Virūpākṣa (o Senhor Śiva) não é manchada pelos pecados.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Significance: Emphasizes the supremacy of Śiva-sevā as a purifier that overrides even mahāpātaka-karmic taints—read in Siddhānta as the extraordinary power of Śiva’s grace (anugraha) when devotion is genuine and transformative.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It proclaims the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on Śiva’s grace (anugraha): sincere service and surrender to Virūpākṣa can neutralize the binding force of pāpa-karma, because the Lord is Pati who can cut the pasha (bondage) of the soul.
Calling Śiva “Virūpākṣa” points to Saguna Śiva approached through devotion and service; in Purāṇic practice this is commonly expressed through Liṅga worship, where the devotee seeks purification through the Lord’s presence and grace rather than mere self-effort.
The takeaway is sevā-bhakti: daily Śiva-pūjā (especially Liṅga abhiṣeka), japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and living with humility and repentance—seeking Śiva’s grace to burn karmic stains.