Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
प्रकृतितत्त्व-विचारः / Inquiry into Prakṛti (Nature/Śakti) and Śiva’s Transcendence
तपस्तप्तुमनुज्ञा मे दातव्या पर्वताधिप । अनुज्ञया विना किंचित्तपः कर्तुं न शक्यते
tapastaptumanujñā me dātavyā parvatādhipa | anujñayā vinā kiṃcittapaḥ kartuṃ na śakyate
噢，群山之主，请赐我许可，使我得以修行苦行（tapas）。若无你的允诺，既不相宜——实则也不可能——去行哪怕一丝一毫的苦行。
Pārvatī
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches that tapas must be rooted in dharma—undertaken with humility, right intention, and the blessings of guardians/elders—so that discipline becomes a pure offering oriented toward Śiva rather than ego-driven effort.
Pārvatī’s request shows the proper approach to Saguna Śiva worship: devotion expressed through disciplined practice that is sanctioned and guided, preparing the devotee for steadfast bhakti and eventual grace (anugraha) from Lord Śiva.
It implies beginning vrata/tapas only after receiving authorization and guidance (from elders or guru), then maintaining regular japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), purity, and restrained living as the foundation of Shaiva sādhanā.