Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
विष्णुरुवाच । किमर्थमागता यूयं ब्रह्माद्याश्च सुरर्षयः । सर्वं वदत तत्प्रीत्या किं कार्यं विद्यतेऽधुना
viṣṇuruvāca | kimarthamāgatā yūyaṃ brahmādyāśca surarṣayaḥ | sarvaṃ vadata tatprītyā kiṃ kāryaṃ vidyate'dhunā
Wika ni Viṣṇu: “Bakit kayo naparito—si Brahmā at ang iba pang mga diyos at mga rishi? Sabihin ninyo ang lahat nang may mabuting kalooban. Anong gawain ang dapat tuparin ngayon?”
Lord Vishnu
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Formal opening of a divine deliberation (deva-sabhā) to determine the next cosmic task.
FAQs
It frames a sacred inquiry: even exalted deities act with humility and clarity of purpose, preparing the narrative space where Shiva-tattva and right action (dharma) will be revealed for the good of beings.
Though the verse itself is a question, it initiates the divine dialogue that typically culminates in guidance about approaching Shiva—often through saguna upāsanā such as the Śiva-liṅga, devotion (bhakti), and prescribed rites—leading the seeker toward Shiva’s supreme grace.
The immediate takeaway is the discipline of inquiry (jijñāsā) and respectful dialogue; in Shaiva practice this supports mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī) and attentive listening to Śiva-kathā as preparatory sādhanā.