Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 82
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
यावद्गृहाश्रमे तिष्ठेत्तावदाकारपूजनम् । कुर्याच्छ्रेष्ठस्य सप्रीत्या सुरेषु खलु पंचसु
yāvadgṛhāśrame tiṣṭhettāvadākārapūjanam | kuryācchreṣṭhasya saprītyā sureṣu khalu paṃcasu
ตราบใดที่ยังดำรงอยู่ในคฤหัสถ์อาศรม พึงบูชาพระผู้เป็นใหญ่ในรูปปรากฏ (สคุณะ-อาการ) ด้วยความรักและภักดี พึงกระทำการบูชาพระผู้ประเสริฐ—แท้จริงในหมู่เทวะหลักทั้งห้า
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s teachings within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Frames gṛhastha-dharma as compatible with saguna/ākāra-pūjā; aligns with Purāṇic accommodation of pañcāyatana-like household worship while asserting Śiva’s supremacy.
Significance: Legitimizes icon worship for householders as a means to purify karma and mature toward jñāna and śiva-bhakti.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that for householders, disciplined saguna (with-form) worship stabilizes devotion and purifies karma, gradually preparing the soul (paśu) to turn toward Shiva (Pati) and loosen bondage (pāśa).
It supports iconic worship—such as Shiva-linga or a murti—as a fitting method for the grihastha stage, where daily duties are harmonized with steady devotion to Shiva through visible, ritual worship.
Perform regular home puja to Shiva in a manifested form with heartfelt devotion—optionally supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), along with simple offerings according to capacity.