Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
नन्दाव्रत-समाप्तिः तथा शङ्करस्य प्रत्यक्ष-दर्शनम्
Completion of the Nandā-vrata and Śiva’s Direct Appearance
ब्रह्मोवाच । जानन्नपीह तद्भावं महादेवो जगत्पतिः । जगौ वरं वृणीष्वेति तद्वाक्यश्रवणेच्छया
brahmovāca | jānannapīha tadbhāvaṃ mahādevo jagatpatiḥ | jagau varaṃ vṛṇīṣveti tadvākyaśravaṇecchayā
Sinabi ni Brahmā: Bagaman alam na ni Mahādeva, ang Panginoon ng mga daigdig, ang lihim na hangarin niya rito, sinabi pa rin Niya, “Pumili ka ng biyaya,” sapagkat nais Niyang marinig ang sariling pananalita niya.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as omniscient (knowing the devotee’s inner bhāva) yet compassionately inviting self-expression—showing that grace responds to conscious, spoken devotion and clear intention.
In Saguna worship, the Lord relates personally with the devotee. Like praying before the Liṅga, the devotee articulates vows and desires; Śiva, though all-knowing, accepts that offering of words and bhakti.
A practical takeaway is to make a sincere saṅkalpa (clear intention) and verbal prayer during Śiva-pūjā—especially while chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—offering one’s request as an act of devotion rather than mere demand.