Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
गिरिजाया तपोऽनुज्ञा
Permission for Girijā’s Austerities
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्येवं बहुधा पुत्री तन्मात्रा विनवारिता । संवेदे न सुखं किंचिद्विनाराध्य महेश्वरम्
brahmovāca | ityevaṃ bahudhā putrī tanmātrā vinavāritā | saṃvede na sukhaṃ kiṃcidvinārādhya maheśvaram
“梵天说道：就这样，母亲以种种方式劝阻并恳切哀求女儿。然而她丝毫得不到快乐——除非她礼敬供奉大自在天摩诃提婆（Maheśvara）。 ”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Establishes the Siddhānta principle that true sukha (inner fulfillment) for the bound soul arises only through ārādhana of Maheśvara, culminating in His anugraha.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches that lasting contentment arises only through turning to Pati—Maheśvara—since worldly persuasion and comforts cannot satisfy the soul’s deeper longing for Shiva.
It affirms the necessity of concrete worship (ārādhana) of Maheśvara—commonly expressed through Saguna devotion such as Linga-pūjā—because inner peace is portrayed as dependent on direct devotion to Shiva.
The takeaway is steadfast Shiva-ārādhana—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and simple Linga worship—since happiness is said to be unattainable without worship of Maheshwara.