Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
पार्वतीप्रार्थना—हिमवत्पार्श्वे भिक्षुरूपेण याचनम् | Pārvatī’s Request: Śiva to Seek Her in Beggar-Form at Himālaya’s Court
के ग्रहाः के ऋतुगणाः के वान्येपि त्वया ग्रहाः । किमुक्तं चाधुना देवि शिवार्थं वरवर्णिनि
ke grahāḥ ke ṛtugaṇāḥ ke vānyepi tvayā grahāḥ | kimuktaṃ cādhunā devi śivārthaṃ varavarṇini
“Alin-alin ang mga graha (planeta), alin ang mga pangkat ng mga panahon, at anu-ano pang ibang impluwensiya ang iyong isinasaalang-alang? At ngayon, O Diyosa—ikaw na may marikit na mga sangkap—ano ang ipinahayag alang-alang kay Śiva?”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights that while cosmic factors like planets and seasons may be discussed, the decisive spiritual axis is “śivārtha”—the intention directed toward attaining Śiva through disciplined devotion and right resolve.
By asking what has been prescribed “for Śiva’s sake,” the verse points to purposeful upāsanā—devotional practice oriented to Saguna Śiva (often through Linga-worship), where sincerity and aim (bhāva) are primary, not merely external timing.
The takeaway is to make one’s practice explicitly śivārtha—e.g., steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with purity and discipline—while treating astrological or seasonal considerations as secondary supports, not the core means.