Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
प्रकृतितत्त्व-विचारः / Inquiry into Prakṛti (Nature/Śakti) and Śiva’s Transcendence
भवान्युवाच । किमुक्तं गिरिराजाय त्वया योगिस्तपस्विना । तदुत्तरं शृणु विभो मत्तो ज्ञानिविशारद
bhavānyuvāca | kimuktaṃ girirājāya tvayā yogistapasvinā | taduttaraṃ śṛṇu vibho matto jñāniviśārada
婆伐尼说道：“你这位瑜伽行者、大苦行者，对吉利罗阇（山王、山之主）说了什么？如今，噢大能者、善于辨析灵性智慧者，请听我所作的回答。”
Bhavānī (Pārvatī)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames a transmission of sacred knowledge: Pārvatī prompts the recounting of a yogin’s words, indicating that Shiva-tattva is approached through disciplined tapas, yoga, and refined discernment (jñāna) under proper dialogue and instruction.
Though the Liṅga is not named here, the verse sets the narrative tone typical of the Rudra Saṃhitā: teachings about Shiva are conveyed through revered conversation. Such dialogue commonly culminates in Saguna Shiva upāsanā—devotion expressed through mantra, pūjā, and Liṅga-worship—supported by inner yoga and understanding.
The verse points to yoga and tapas as the core discipline—steady meditation, restraint, and contemplative listening (śravaṇa). As a Shaiva takeaway, this is typically paired with mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as the practical means to internalize the teaching.