Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
अनिरुद्धापहरणानन्तरं कृष्णस्य शोणितपुरगमनम् तथा रुद्रकृष्णयुद्धारम्भः | After Aniruddha’s Abduction: Kṛṣṇa Marches to Śoṇitapura and the Rudra–Kṛṣṇa Battle Begins
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । हे सूत शृणु मद्वाक्यं रथं मे वाहय द्रुतम् । महादेवसमीपस्थो यथा स्यां गदितुं वचः
śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca | he sūta śṛṇu madvākyaṃ rathaṃ me vāhaya drutam | mahādevasamīpastho yathā syāṃ gadituṃ vacaḥ
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच । हे सूत शृणु मद्वाक्यं रथं मे वाहय द्रुतम् । महादेवसमीपस्थो यथा स्यां गदितुं वचः ॥
Śrī Kṛṣṇa
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Approaching Mahādeva with humility and intent to communicate dharmic purpose models śaraṇāgati; proximity (sāmīpya) to Śiva is framed as spiritually efficacious.
FAQs
The verse highlights reverent approach (upasarpana) to Mahādeva: even a divine hero seeks closeness to Shiva to communicate with humility, reflecting Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on grace (anugraha) accessed through devotion and right intent.
It models approaching Saguna Shiva as the accessible Lord—seeking His immediate presence to offer words and intention. In Linga-worship, the same principle applies: one comes near the Linga with focused mind and respectful speech, trusting Shiva’s compassionate reception.
A practical takeaway is to begin worship by consciously ‘drawing near’ to Shiva—physically approaching the shrine/Linga and mentally approaching through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), then offering a clear sankalpa (spoken intention) before prayer.