Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
त्रिपुरदीक्षाविधानम् — Tripura Dīkṣā: Prescriptive Procedure
Chapter on the Ordinance of Initiation
अथ तं नारदं प्राह विष्णुर्मुनिमतां वरः । लोकोपकारनिरतो देवकार्यकरस्सदा
atha taṃ nāradaṃ prāha viṣṇurmunimatāṃ varaḥ | lokopakāranirato devakāryakarassadā
Bấy giờ, đức Viṣṇu—bậc tối thắng trong hàng hiền thánh nhờ trí tuệ—cất lời với Nārada, người luôn tận tâm vì lợi ích muôn loài và thường hằng đảm đương công việc của chư thiên.
Vishnu
Tattva Level: pati
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights the ideal of lokopakāra—selfless service for the welfare of beings—as a divine virtue; in Shaiva understanding, such dharmic action supports the cosmic order ultimately governed by Pati (Śiva).
Though Śiva is not named here, the Yuddha-khaṇḍa frames divine activity as part of protecting dharma; worship of the Liṅga (Saguna focus) is traditionally paired with conduct that benefits the world, aligning devotion with righteous action.
A practical takeaway is to combine japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with lokopakāra—acts of service and protection of dharma—as an offering to Śiva, especially during vrata days like Mahāśivarātri.