Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
श्रीभगवानुवाच । ब्रह्मञ्च्छृणु सुरैस्सम्यक्श्रुतं च भवता पुरा । तथापि कथ्यते तुभ्यं देवेभ्यश्च तथा पुनः
śrībhagavānuvāca | brahmañcchṛṇu suraissamyakśrutaṃ ca bhavatā purā | tathāpi kathyate tubhyaṃ devebhyaśca tathā punaḥ
श्रीभगवानुवाच—ब्रह्मन् शृणु; सुरैः सभायां यत् त्वया पुरा सम्यक् श्रुतं, तथापि तुभ्यं देवेभ्यश्च पुनः कथ्यते।
Lord Shiva (Śrī Bhagavān)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Frames Śiva as the repeating teacher of salvific knowledge; hearing (śravaṇa) and recollection of doctrine are treated as grace-bearing acts.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It emphasizes śravaṇa (attentive listening) as a primary means of receiving Shiva’s grace-giving knowledge; even divine teachings are repeated so that understanding becomes firm and liberating.
By presenting Shiva as the direct teacher (Saguna Lord who speaks), it frames later instructions—often including Linga-worship and ritual dharma—as authoritative revelations meant for devas and humans alike.
The immediate practice is disciplined śravaṇa: regularly hearing Shiva-kathā and teachings (often alongside japa of Shiva’s names/mantras) so the mind becomes steady and receptive to right understanding.