Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचश्शंभोर्मया च सहितो हरिः । प्रत्युवाच महेशानं प्रणिपत्य कृतांजलिः
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya vacaśśaṃbhormayā ca sahito hariḥ | pratyuvāca maheśānaṃ praṇipatya kṛtāṃjaliḥ
梵天说道：听闻商婆（Śambhu）之言后，诃利（毗湿奴）与我同在，向大自在天（Maheśāna）俯伏顶礼，合掌恭敬而答。
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Sthala Purana: Non-localized; depicts archetypal śaraṇāgati (surrender) of Viṣṇu and Brahmā before Maheśāna, a paradigm echoed in many Śaiva sthala narratives where gods seek Śiva’s aid.
Significance: Models the pilgrim’s posture: praṇipāta and añjali as gateways to receiving instruction and grace; reinforces humility of even cosmic deities before Śiva.
Cosmic Event: Post-instruction moment in the cosmogonic council of deities.
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati (surrender) and vinaya (humility): even Brahmā and Viṣṇu respond to Śiva’s instruction by bowing and speaking with reverence, showing that grace and right understanding arise through devotion to Pati (the Lord).
The verse models Saguna-upāsanā through embodied reverence—praṇāma and añjali—typical of Linga worship where the devotee approaches Śiva as Maheśāna, the personal Lord who receives devotion and bestows guidance.
A simple practice is implied: begin Shiva worship with praṇāma and añjali, then mentally offer surrender while reciting the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before proceeding to offerings such as bhasma (tripuṇḍra) or mantra-japa.