Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
सेवातत्त्वप्रश्नः — The Question of Whom to Serve (Sevā) for the Removal of Suffering
तच्छ्रुत्वा च तदा विष्णु विश्वकर्माणमब्रवीत । अहं च मुनिशार्दूल जीवोद्धारपरायणः
tacchrutvā ca tadā viṣṇu viśvakarmāṇamabravīta | ahaṃ ca muniśārdūla jīvoddhāraparāyaṇaḥ
毗湿奴闻言，便对毗首羯磨说道：“噢，诸牟尼中的猛虎，我亦专志于拔济众生、令其得度。”
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating; within the narrative, Lord Viṣṇu speaks to Viśvakarmā)
Tattva Level: pati
Sthala Purana: Viṣṇu’s resolve to uplift jīvas motivates the practical commissioning of liṅga-forms—an institutional bridge from divine intention to accessible worship.
Significance: Highlights loka-hita: divine compassion expressed through establishing concrete supports for devotion, a theme echoed in tīrtha-kṣetra culture.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights the dharmic role of a deity acting for jīva-uddhāra—uplifting bound souls—an idea that, in Shaiva Siddhānta, ultimately culminates in liberation through Śiva’s supreme grace, with other gods functioning as supporters within cosmic order.
By emphasizing uplift of beings, it aligns with the Shiva Purana’s aim of guiding devotees toward Saguna Śiva worship (including the Liṅga) as a practical path of purification, devotion, and grace-oriented transformation.
A direct takeaway is to adopt a jīva-uddhāra mindset in practice—daily japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with compassionate, dharmic conduct—supporting inner purification that makes one fit for Śiva-bhakti.