Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 171
रुद्र-स्तवराजः (Rudra-Stavarāja) — Exempla of Śiva’s Boons and the Hymn’s Phalaśruti
स्तवमेतं भगवतो ब्रह्मा स्वयमधारयत् । गीयते च स बुद्धयेत ब्रह्मा शंकरसंनिधौ
stavam etaṁ bhagavato brahmā svayam adhārayat | gīyate ca sa buddhyeta brahmā śaṅkarasaṁnidhau ||
Sinabi ni Vāyu: “Ang himnong ito para sa Pinagpalang Panginoon ay mismong iningatan ni Brahmā sa kanyang puso. At nauunawaan na inaawit ito ni Brahmā sa mismong harapan ni Śaṅkara. Kaya nararapat na pag-aralan at isapuso ang papuring ito na tulad ng Veda.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse grounds devotional practice in authoritative precedent: since Brahmā himself preserves and sings this hymn before Śiva, seekers should learn it, internalize it, and treat sacred praise as a disciplined path of dharma and reverence.
Vāyu is speaking and commending a particular stotra to Śiva, emphasizing its prestige by stating that Brahmā has kept it in his heart and continually chants it in Śiva’s presence, implying its exceptional sanctity and efficacy.