Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7
कार्तिकेयलीलावर्णनम्
Narration of Kārttikeya’s Divine Play
अद्यारभ्य पुरोधास्त्वं भव मे प्रीतिमावहन् । भविष्यसि सदा पूज्यस्सर्वेषां नात्र संशयः
adyārabhya purodhāstvaṃ bhava me prītimāvahan | bhaviṣyasi sadā pūjyassarveṣāṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ
“自今日起，你当作我的主祭，使我心生欢悦。你将恒常为众人所敬奉——对此毫无疑问。”
Lord Shiva (as narrated within the Rudrasaṃhitā dialogue frame)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse affirms that service done for Shiva with devotion becomes a channel for Shiva’s grace (anugraha), elevating the devotee’s spiritual status and making them worthy of reverence in the community.
By appointing an officiant for worship, the verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva worship through orderly rites (pujā/karma). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such disciplined worship purifies the soul and prepares it to receive Shiva’s liberating grace.
It suggests maintaining proper Shiva-pujā through a qualified guide (purohita/ācārya), with steady devotion—supported by traditional Shaiva aids like mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara), bhasma (tripuṇḍra), and reverent ritual conduct.