Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
मङ्गलपत्रिकाग्रहणम् — Reception of the Auspicious Marriage Invitation
ब्रह्मोवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य शंकरस्य परात्मनः । प्रसन्नधीः प्रभुं नत्वा तात त्वं वाक्यमब्रवीः
brahmovāca | iti śrutvā vacastasya śaṃkarasya parātmanaḥ | prasannadhīḥ prabhuṃ natvā tāta tvaṃ vākyamabravīḥ
梵天说道：如此听闻商羯罗——至上真我——之言后，你啊，亲爱的，以安宁欢悦之心，向主顶礼，然后说出了如下言辞。
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva principle that true understanding begins with śravaṇa (listening to Shiva’s teaching) and culminates in namaskāra (humble surrender), producing prasannatā—clarity and serenity of mind that makes one fit to speak and act dharmically.
By calling Shiva “Śaṅkara” and “Prabhu,” the verse affirms Saguna devotion—approaching the Lord as a personal master worthy of reverent bowing—an attitude foundational to Linga-worship where inner surrender accompanies outer ritual.
The takeaway is śravaṇa and praṇāma: listen attentively to Shiva-kathā or mantra-upadeśa, then offer respectful obeisance (mental or physical) before speaking—an inward discipline that supports japa (e.g., Panchākṣarī) and steady devotion.