Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
शिवानुकम्पा, ब्रह्मणो निर्भयत्वं च (Śiva’s Compassion and Brahmā’s Fearlessness)
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचो मे हि स्वात्मसर्वसुखावहम् । तथाऽस्त्विति शिवः प्राह सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya vaco me hi svātmasarvasukhāvaham | tathā'stviti śivaḥ prāha suprasannena cetasā
برہما نے کہا—میرے وہ کلمات جو خودی کی بھلائی اور ہر طرح کی خوشی کے حامل تھے، یوں سن کر شیو نے نہایت شاداں دل سے فرمایا: “تथاستु (ایسا ہی ہو)۔”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who, upon hearing a dharmic request that supports the soul’s true welfare, responds with grace—“tathāstu”—showing that liberation-oriented good (svātma-sukha) is fulfilled through Śiva’s pleased, compassionate will.
The verse portrays Saguna Śiva as a responsive, personal Lord who hears and blesses. In Linga-worship, devotees approach Śiva as the accessible form of the Supreme; the ‘tathāstu’ principle reflects the fruit of sincere prayer, pūjā, and surrender receiving Śiva’s anugraha.
Cultivate a “suprasanna” (serene, pleased) mind through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady pūjā; the takeaway is inner purity and devotion that make one fit to receive Śiva’s gracious assent and blessings.