Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
गिरिराजस्य शिवनिमन्त्रणम् / The Mountain-King Invites Śiva
Hospitality to Śiva and the Devas
ब्रह्मोवाच । अथ विष्ण्वादयो देवा मुनयश्च तपोधनाः । कृत्वावश्यककर्माणि यात्रां सन्तेनिरे गिरेः
brahmovāca | atha viṣṇvādayo devā munayaśca tapodhanāḥ | kṛtvāvaśyakakarmāṇi yātrāṃ santenire gireḥ
Wika ni Brahmā: Pagkaraan, si Viṣṇu at ang iba pang mga deva, kasama ang mga muni na mayaman sa tapas, matapos gampanan ang nararapat na mga tungkulin, ay naglakbay patungo sa bundok.
Brahmā
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The verse sets a pilgrimage-like movement: devas and ṛṣis complete nitya/naimittika duties and proceed toward the mountain (Himālaya context in Pārvatī-khaṇḍa), preparing the stage for Śiva–Pārvatī marriage narratives.
Significance: Models dharma: first complete obligatory rites (avaśyaka-karmāṇi), then undertake yātrā/darśana—implying purity of conduct as a prerequisite for approaching Śiva’s sphere.
FAQs
It emphasizes dharma as preparation for divine encounter: even gods and accomplished sages first complete obligatory duties, then undertake a sacred journey—showing that disciplined karma and tapas become supports for receiving Śiva’s grace.
The verse sets the narrative tone of approaching a holy seat of Śiva (often a mountain associated with Śiva’s presence). In Saguna worship, right conduct and prescribed observances precede darśana and pūjā, making the devotee fit for Śiva’s manifest blessing.
The takeaway is to complete one’s nitya/naimittika duties before a yātrā or Śiva-pūjā—then proceed with a focused mind; practically this aligns with preparatory purity, japa (e.g., pañcākṣarī), and disciplined observance before pilgrimage.