Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
सृष्टिक्रमवर्णनम् / Description of the Sequence of Creation
श्रद्धा लक्ष्मीर्धृतिस्तुष्टिः पुष्टिर्मेधा तथा क्रिया । वसुःर्बुद्धि लज्जा शांतिः सिद्धिः कीर्तिस्त्रयोदश
śraddhā lakṣmīrdhṛtistuṣṭiḥ puṣṭirmedhā tathā kriyā | vasuḥrbuddhi lajjā śāṃtiḥ siddhiḥ kīrtistrayodaśa
ศรัทธา ลักษมี ธฤติ ตุษฏิ ปุษฏิ เมธา และกริยา; วสุ พุทธิ ลัชชา ศานติ สิทธิ และกีรติ—รวมเป็นสิบสามประการ.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: personification of guṇa-like virtues as progenitive powers within sarga
FAQs
It lists thirteen inner-and-outer auspicious qualities that sustain dharma and spiritual maturation—showing that grace expresses itself as virtues like faith, peace, discernment, and accomplished living, which prepare the seeker for Shiva’s liberating knowledge.
In Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-pūjā), these qualities are both fruits and supports: śraddhā and kriyā ground daily pūjā, while śānti and buddhi refine devotion so that worship becomes a doorway to realizing Shiva beyond form (Nirguna).
Emphasize śraddhā and kriyā through steady Linga-pūjā with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and cultivate śānti via japa and quiet meditation after worship; let lajjā (self-restraint) and dhṛti (steadfastness) stabilize the practice.