Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
शिवदूतस्य शङ्खचूडकुलप्रवेशः — The Śiva-Envoy’s Entry into Śaṅkhacūḍa’s City
पुष्पदंत उवाच । राजेन्द्र शिवदूतोऽहं पुष्पदंताभिधः प्रभो । यदुक्तं शंकरेणैव तच्छृणु त्वं ब्रवीमि ते
puṣpadaṃta uvāca | rājendra śivadūto'haṃ puṣpadaṃtābhidhaḥ prabho | yaduktaṃ śaṃkareṇaiva tacchṛṇu tvaṃ bravīmi te
ปุษปทันตะกล่าวว่า “โอ้ราชาเหนือราชาทั้งหลาย โอ้พระผู้เป็นเจ้า ข้าคือทูตของพระศิวะ นามว่าปุษปทันตะ จงฟังถ้อยคำที่ศังกรตรัสเอง—ข้าจะกล่าวให้ท่านฟัง”
Puṣpadanta (Shiva’s messenger)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights śravaṇa (reverent listening) to Śiva’s own command as a primary doorway to grace: the messenger does not teach personal opinion, but transmits Śaṅkara’s word, emphasizing devotion, humility, and obedience to Pati (the Lord) in Shaiva Siddhanta.
By presenting Śaṅkara as the direct authority whose instruction is to be heard, it supports Saguna Śiva worship—where the devotee follows Śiva’s expressed will (often embodied in Linga worship, mantra, and vrata) as the practical means to approach the transcendent Nirguna reality.
The key practice implied is attentive listening and faithful reception of Śiva’s teaching (śravaṇa), which traditionally pairs well with japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and disciplined observance of Śiva’s injunctions as given in Purāṇic narratives.