Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 65
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
वीरभद्र उवाच । तव भावपरीक्षार्थमित्युक्तं मे महाप्रभो । इदानीं तत्त्वतो वच्मि शृणु त्वं सावधानतः
vīrabhadra uvāca | tava bhāvaparīkṣārthamityuktaṃ me mahāprabho | idānīṃ tattvato vacmi śṛṇu tvaṃ sāvadhānataḥ
毗罗跋陀罗说道：“大主啊，我先前那般言说，只为试验你内心意向之深浅。如今我将如实道出真相——请你专心聆听。”
Vīrabhadra
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights that spiritual worth is judged by bhāva (inner intention), and that true instruction (tattva) is given only after sincerity is verified—an important Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on purity of intent in approaching Śiva and His servants.
It implies that external acts of worship gain power when supported by genuine bhāva; Saguna worship such as Liṅga-pūjā becomes fruitful when the devotee listens, reflects, and aligns conduct with tattva rather than mere display.
The practical takeaway is sāva-dhānatā—attentive listening and disciplined receptivity (śravaṇa) before practice; it supports focused japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with sincere intention rather than hurried repetition.