Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
अलकापतेः तपः-लिङ्गप्रतिष्ठा च वरप्राप्तिः / The Lord of Alakā: Austerity, Liṅga-Establishment, and the Receiving of a Boon
व्यतीते तत्र कल्पे वै प्रवृत्ते मेघवाहने । याज्ञदत्तिरसौ श्रीदस्तपस्तेपे सुदुस्सहम्
vyatīte tatra kalpe vai pravṛtte meghavāhane | yājñadattirasau śrīdastapastepe sudussaham
当彼劫既尽，而名为“梅伽婆诃那”（Meghavāhana）的新劫开启之时，德高可敬的室利达萨（Śrīdāsa），亦名耶阇那达底（Yājñadatti），修行了极其难忍的苦行。
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Cosmic Event: kalpa transition: end of one kalpa and commencement of Meghavāhana-kalpa
FAQs
It establishes the karmic-spiritual backdrop: in a new cosmic cycle, a devotee begins severe tapas, highlighting the Shaiva principle that disciplined austerity, offered with devotion, becomes a means for Shiva’s grace to remove bonds (pāśa) and elevate the soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati).
Though the Liṅga is not named here, the narrative pattern in the Rudra Saṃhitā commonly frames tapas as preparation for Saguna Shiva’s compassionate manifestation—often culminating in a boon, vision, or establishment of a form of worship that later supports Liṅga-oriented devotion.
The takeaway is steadfast tapas: regulated vows, purity, and sustained meditation on Shiva—typically supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and observances like fasting and disciplined restraint.