Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
शिवपुत्रजननवर्णनम् — Description of the Birth/Manifestation of Śiva’s Son
देवास्सर्वे प्रभुं दृष्ट्वा हरिणा च मया शिवम् । बभूबुस्सुखिनश्चाति तदा वै भक्तवत्सलम्
devāssarve prabhuṃ dṛṣṭvā hariṇā ca mayā śivam | babhūbussukhinaścāti tadā vai bhaktavatsalam
当诸天见到至上主宰湿婆，与诃利（毗湿奴）及我（梵天）同在时，众天神极其欢喜；因为他确是恒常怜爱护念其奉献者。
Brahmā (narrating within the Rudra Saṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as the supreme Lord (Pati) whose defining quality is bhakta-vātsalya—graceful tenderness toward devotees—showing that divine joy and protection arise from His direct presence and compassionate lordship.
By calling Śiva the visible, approachable ‘Prabhu’ and ‘Bhaktavatsala,’ the verse supports Saguna worship—devotees and Devas rejoice when Śiva is directly beheld, a theme that aligns with Linga worship as a sacred, accessible form through which Śiva grants grace.
The practical takeaway is darśana-centered bhakti: seek Śiva’s presence through daily Linga-darśana and japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), cultivating devotion that invokes His bhakta-vātsalya.