Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
आरोग्यं च शरीरं च प्रतिष्ठां चाप्यलौकिकीम् । ये वांछंति महाभागाः सुखं वा त्रिदशालयम्
ārogyaṃ ca śarīraṃ ca pratiṣṭhāṃ cāpyalaukikīm | ye vāṃchaṃti mahābhāgāḥ sukhaṃ vā tridaśālayam
เหล่าผู้ภักดีผู้มีบุญยิ่ง ผู้ปรารถนาสุขภาพและความผาสุกแห่งกาย ปรารถนาเกียรติยศอันเหนือโลก หรือปรารถนาความสุขในไตรทศาลัย (สวรรค์ของเหล่าเทวะ)—พึงน้อมสู่การบูชาพระศิวะตามที่สอนไว้นี้.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating the Rudrasaṃhitā teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vaidyanātha
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: Vaidyanātha is famed as the ‘Lord as Physician’ who heals afflictions; Purāṇic traditions connect the site with relief from disease and the restoration of well-being through Śiva’s grace.
Significance: Sought for ārogya (health), protection from disease, and the stabilization of life (sthiti) through Śiva’s benevolence; also for merit leading toward higher devotion.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It frames Śiva-worship as a complete path that can grant both laukika fruits (health, stability, honor) and higher states (svarga and ultimately Śiva’s grace), showing that all results are fulfilled under Pati (Śiva) when sought with devotion.
The verse lists desired fruits that are traditionally sought through saguna-upāsanā—especially Liṅga worship—where devotees approach Śiva with form and attributes, receiving boons while being gradually led toward deeper devotion and liberation-oriented understanding.
A practical takeaway is regular Liṅga-pūjā with the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with simple Shaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and disciplined japa for health, inner steadiness, and upliftment.