Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
शिवानुकम्पा, ब्रह्मणो निर्भयत्वं च (Śiva’s Compassion and Brahmā’s Fearlessness)
ब्रह्मोवाच । यदि प्रसन्नो देवेश वरयोग्योस्म्यहं यदि । तत्कुरु त्वं महेशान सुप्रीत्या यद्वदाम्यहम्
brahmovāca | yadi prasanno deveśa varayogyosmyahaṃ yadi | tatkuru tvaṃ maheśāna suprītyā yadvadāmyaham
พระพรหมตรัสว่า: “โอ้จอมเทพ หากพระองค์ทรงพอพระทัย และหากข้าพเจ้าสมควรรับพรแล้วไซร้ โอ้พระมหีศาน โปรดประทานสิ่งที่ข้าพเจ้ากำลังจะทูลขอด้วยความเมตตาเถิด”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it formalizes the boon-request protocol: prasāda (Śiva’s pleasure) + yogyatā (recipient fitness) + explicit petition—mirroring how devotees approach Śiva at temples for iṣṭa-siddhi and, ideally, mokṣa.
Significance: Teaches that boons are sought through humility and worthiness; invites pilgrims to align requests with dharma and ultimately liberation.
FAQs
It highlights bhakti with humility: even Brahmā frames his request as dependent on Śiva’s prasāda (grace) and his own worthiness, underscoring Śiva as the supreme bestower whose favor is not compelled but compassionately given.
The verse reflects Saguna devotion—addressing Śiva as Deveśa and Maheśāna, a personal Lord who responds to prayer. In Linga-worship, the same attitude of reverent petition and reliance on Śiva’s grace is central to receiving spiritual fruit.
The takeaway is the devotional posture before worship: approach Śiva with humility and heartfelt prayer (bhakti), asking only after invoking His prasannatā (pleasure/grace). This aligns with mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) offered with sincerity rather than entitlement.