Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 32
Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ
Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship
पुत्रेष्टिं च चकारासौ पार्थिवो भवभक्तिमान् । ऋष्यशृङ्गमुनेराज्ञां संप्राप्य नृपसत्तमः
putreṣṭiṃ ca cakārāsau pārthivo bhavabhaktimān | ṛṣyaśṛṅgamunerājñāṃ saṃprāpya nṛpasattamaḥ
Ang pinakamainam na hari, deboto ni Bhava (Śiva), ay nagsagawa ng Putreṣṭi—ritwal para sa anak—matapos lumapit at tumanggap ng patnubay at utos ng pantas na si Ṛśyaśṛṅga.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Shows integration of Vedic śrauta rite (Putreṣṭi) within a Śaiva devotional frame (‘bhavabhaktimān’): Śiva’s grace is understood as the ultimate efficacious principle behind ritual success.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights a Shaiva ideal: worldly duties (like seeking progeny) are pursued through dharma, under a realized guru’s guidance, and with devotion to Bhava (Śiva), aligning desire with right order rather than ego.
By calling the king “Bhava-bhakta,” the verse frames his ritual action as rooted in Saguna Śiva-bhakti—approaching the Lord as a compassionate, accessible deity whose grace supports dharmic life.
Seek scriptural rites only under competent guidance (ācārya/ṛṣi), and support ritual with Śiva-bhakti—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") as an inner offering alongside outer observance.