Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
विष्णुचेष्टितवर्णनम् / Account of Viṣṇu’s Stratagem and Its Aftermath
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य महेशो हि वचनं त्रिदिवौकसाम् । प्रत्युवाच महालीलस्स्वच्छन्दस्तान्कृतांजलीन्
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityākarṇya maheśo hi vacanaṃ tridivaukasām | pratyuvāca mahālīlassvacchandastānkṛtāṃjalīn
Sanatkumāra thưa: Nghe như vậy lời của chư thiên cư ngụ cõi trời, Maheśa—Đấng có những cuộc thần hí bao la—đã tùy ý, tự tại đáp lời họ, khi họ đứng chắp tay cung kính.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as Pati—the sovereign Lord—who responds from his own supreme freedom (svacchanda). The devas’ joined palms model humility, showing that grace and guidance flow when beings approach the Lord with reverence and surrender.
Although the verse is narrative, it reflects Saguna Śiva as Maheśa who hears prayers and gives a direct response. In Linga worship, devotees similarly approach with añjali (folded hands), trusting the Lord’s compassionate, sovereign will to bestow protection and right direction.
The immediate takeaway is the practice of añjali-bhāva (prayerful surrender) during worship—standing before Śiva (Linga or icon) with folded hands while reciting a mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” seeking guidance with humility.