Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
तारकासुर-पूर्ववृत्त-प्रश्नः (Questions on Tārakāsura and Śivā’s tapas) / “Inquiry into Tārakāsura’s origin and Śivā–Śiva narrative”
कश्यप उवाच । तपः कुरु शुचिर्भूत्वा ब्रह्मणश्चायुतं समाः । चेद्भविष्यति तत्पूर्वं भविता ते सुतस्तदा
kaśyapa uvāca | tapaḥ kuru śucirbhūtvā brahmaṇaścāyutaṃ samāḥ | cedbhaviṣyati tatpūrvaṃ bhavitā te sutastadā
迦叶说道：“当行苦行，令身心清净，依梵天之量修满一万年。若先成就此愿，则你必定得生一子。”
Kaśyapa
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Brahmā-scale time (brahmaṇaḥ samāḥ) invoked as a cosmological measure for tapas.
FAQs
The verse teaches that spiritual and worldly attainments arise from disciplined tapas grounded in śauca (purity). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, such purification prepares the soul (paśu) to receive grace through right effort and inner refinement.
Though the Liṅga is not named here, the instruction to become pure and undertake sustained tapas aligns with preparatory disciplines commonly prescribed for Saguna Shiva worship—approaching Shiva with regulated conduct, purity, and sustained practice to become fit for blessings.
The explicit practice is tapas with śauca (purity). Practically, this can be supported by daily japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), maintaining cleanliness, and observing disciplined vows—while focusing on steadiness and self-restraint.