Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा सकला देवा मया सह मुनीश्वर । दीनास्तस्थुः पुरो विष्णोर्मौनीभूतास्सु दुःखिताः
brahmovāca | ityuktvā sakalā devā mayā saha munīśvara | dīnāstasthuḥ puro viṣṇormaunībhūtāssu duḥkhitāḥ
பிரம்மா கூறினார்—முனிவரே! இவ்வாறு சொல்லி, என்னுடன் எல்லாத் தேவர்களும் விஷ்ணுவின் முன்னிலையில் தாழ்வுற்று நின்றனர்; மௌனமடைந்து, பேர்துயரால் ஆட்கொள்ளப்பட்டனர்।
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it depicts devas and Brahmā approaching Viṣṇu for counsel, a prelude to turning toward Śiva as the ultimate refuge.
Significance: Highlights the purāṇic hierarchy in crisis-response: devas consult Viṣṇu and Brahmā, yet resolution ultimately lies in approaching Śiva—encouraging pilgrims to seek the highest cause (Śiva) beyond intermediary powers.
FAQs
It shows the devas’ helplessness and the humility that precedes divine guidance—when pride falls away, they seek higher counsel, preparing the ground for Shiva’s grace to restore dharma.
Though they stand before Viṣṇu, the narrative movement in the Rudrasaṃhitā typically leads to seeking Shiva’s intervention; in Shaiva Siddhānta, such crises turn the mind toward Saguna Shiva (often approached through Linga-worship) as the compassionate Lord who removes pāśa (bondage) and दुःख.
The verse implies mauna (silence), humility, and surrender; a practical takeaway is to adopt brief mauna and japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) as a discipline for steadiness during sorrow.