Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
भक्तिभेदाः—ज्ञानप्रधानभक्तेः प्रशंसा
Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion
ब्रह्मोवाच । इति स्तुतो रमेशेन मया चैव सुरर्षिभिः । तथान्यैश्च महादेवः प्रसन्नस्संबभूव ह
brahmovāca | iti stuto rameśena mayā caiva surarṣibhiḥ | tathānyaiśca mahādevaḥ prasannassaṃbabhūva ha
Wika ni Brahmā: “Nang mapuri nang gayon ni Rameśa (Viṣṇu), ng aking sarili, ng mga banal na rishi ng mga deva, at ng iba pa, si Mahādeva ay tunay na nalugod at naging mapagpala.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights that Mahādeva’s anugraha (grace) is awakened through sincere stuti and humility; when even Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and the devarṣis praise Him, Śiva becomes prasanna, indicating the primacy of devotion in receiving divine favor.
The verse depicts Saguna Śiva—Mahādeva who responds to prayer and praise—supporting the Purāṇic mode of worship where devotees approach Śiva through stotra, pūjā, and reverent contemplation, often centered on the Śiva-liṅga as the accessible focus of His grace.
A practical takeaway is stuti with mantra-japa—especially pañcākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—offered with devotion; such praise-oriented worship is presented as a direct means to seek Śiva’s prasāda.