Vedic Rudra indeed is Parvati-Pati

Hello Readers, while browsing some online sites(Quora) I founded that some people who claim themselves to knowing about Vedas (Not sure about they've undergone Ved-Abhyasam) says that Vedic "Rudra" is somehow morphed to Puranic Shiva. Well someone says that Shiva is not mentioned in Vedas. To all such argument they don't provide any strong reason for the same.

Anyway, this Article would eradicate all the above mentioned assumptions. So before starting Article, let us mention some key-points which is to be analyse here.

CLAIMS : - 

• Vedic Rudra is not Puranic Shiva which is currently praised by Shaivites.
• There is no mention of Shiva in Vedas, there is mentioned of Rudra-s (Plural) or storm gods but not Shiva.
• Indra, Agni, Varuna etc are main gods of Vedas. And Puranic Scripture demean Vedic Deities to propund their sectarian Deities. 

 So there are major 3 Claims which we would analyse and such claims will be refuted in this article.  We shall evaluate Vedic and Puranic Scripture to find out the reality. Anywhere if Puranic Literature contradicts with Vedic Scriptures we shall refute that portion of Purana (which is never going to happen since Vedas are root and Puranas are Fruit so there is no question of contradiction of any Vedic Principle). Tie up the belt and Let's Begin.

 Claim-1: - Vedic Rudra is not Puranic Shiva which is currently praised by Shaivites.

This is really laughable claim, isn't it? 

Well, it seems we should know about who is Rudra in Vedas. And what could be more exellent then Sri-Rudram of Yajur-Veda. So let's analyse "Rudra" of Sri-Rudram and Puranic Shiva.

nama̍ste astu bhagavan viśveśva̱rāya̍ mahāde̱vāya̍tryamba̱kāya̍ tripurānta̱kāya̍ trikāgnikā̱lāya̍

kālāgniru̱drāya̍ nīlaka̱nthāya̍ mrtyuñja̱yāya̍ sarveśva̱rāya̍sadāśi̱vāya̍ śrīmanmahāde̱vāya̱ nama̍" ||    (Sri Rudram)

Salutations (namaste) to Lord Rudra: who is the Lord of the Universe (viśveśvarā); who is the great God (mahā-devā); who has three eyes (tryambakā); who is the annihilator of Tripura – the city of the demon; Tripura also represents our ego (Tripura-antaka); who is the master of sacrificial fire of three times (trikāgnikālāya); who is the Rudra who consumes everything as the fire of kāla -agni at the time of destruction; To that Lord whose throat is blue (nīla-kanthā); who is the conqueror of death (mrtyuñjayā); who is the Lord of all (sarveśvara); who is always auspicious (sadā-śiva). Salutations to Rudra who is the celebrated and great God (śrīman-mahādevā).

So from the above mentioned let's take some characteristics of Vedic Rudra. 

• Rudra is Lord of Universe
• Rudra who has three eyes
• Rudra is destroyer of tripura,
• Rudra is kAlAgni-Rudra (deity responsible for destruction of creation).
• Rudra is Neel-Kanth.
• Rudra is Maha-Dev. 

This above mentioned points are verily depicted in Purana(s) to describe Lord Shiva. So the Lord Shiva who is Lord of Universe (विश्वनाथ or विश्वेश्वर), is having three eyes(त्र्यंबक), Destroyer of Tripura(Parvati-Pati as destroyer of Tripurasura is also verified by Shiv-Purana), Kalagni Rudra (deity responsible for the Destruction.), who is having Blue Throat(नीलकंठ), and he is verily glorified as Mahadeva(Parvati-Pati) in Puranas. So this clearly proves that Vedic Rudra is identical with Puranic Shiva. 

Let's analyse other verses of शतरुद्रीय  hymns, 

namo gaṇebhyo gaṇapatibhyaśca vo namo 
namo vir ūpebhyo viśvarūpebhyaśca vo namo  (Sri Rudram)

Here Lord Shiva is said to be

• Lord of all Gunas,
• Vishwaroopam.

Now, one may wonder Vedic Rudra is having Universal Form, Why Lord Shiva never depicted as having Universal form? Lord Shiva is mentioned and had displayed his Universal form in Itihasa(Mahabharata),  Clearly portrayed Lord Shiva as having Universal  Form. 

“vadantyagnı̃ mahādēvaṁ tathā sthāṇũ mahēśvaram |ēkākṣaṁ tryambakaṁ caiva viśvarūpaṁ śivaṁ tathā ||” (Mahabharat 13:161:2)“The Rishis describe Mahadeva as Agni, and Sthanu, and Maheswara; as one-eyed, and three-eyed, of universal form, and Siva or highly auspicious”.

This clearly says that Lord Shiva is described as having Universal Form. The very same is being said by Padma-Purana and Kurma-Purana.

The below are the words of Sri Rama himself when he witnesses universal Form of Lord Vishwanath.  

"O Ultimate God! O lord who eliminate the sufferings when gets delighted! O lord of the universe (Vishweshwara)! O Lord you are eulogised by the world (Vishwavandhya)! O Gangadhara! O Chandramouli! kindly be pleased with me. I’m like an orphan now, kindly provide your shelter to me from the fear of Samsaara. O Eswara! Just like trees take birth and die on earth; similarly  these entire universes took birth from you, reside in you and hey Shiva! they get dissolved in you alone! O Lord who is possessing trident in his hand! Inside your face resides Brahma, Indra, and groups of Maruts, gandhervas, Yakshas, Demons, Siddhas; Ganga and other mighty river groups; seven great oceans.  O wearer of crescent moon! This entire universe is created by your Maya (illusion). it became visible also inside you only, but out of ignorance humans are getting illusioned by not realizing these facts." (Padma- Purana : Shiv-Gita Ch-7; Verse 23-26)

Infact Shiv-Gita Chapter-7 of Padma-Purana is called Vishwaroopa Sandarshana Yoga and Ishwar Gita Chapter-5 too depict Lord Shiva as Universal Form. (here verses are not quoted as it is difficult to quote entire chapter).

So from this it is proved that Lord Shiva is verily same in Veda and Puranas. Let's analyse other Verses of शतरुद्रीय 

namo bhavāya ca rudrāya ca namaḥ śarvāya ca 

pa śupataye ca namo nīlagrīvāya ca śitikaṇṭhāya ca

nama ḥkapardine ca vyuptakeśāya ca namaḥ

sahasr ākṣāya ca śatadhanvane ca.  (Sri Rudram)

Prostration to the Lord Rudra who is Creator and Destroyer of the Universe; prostration to the Rudra the Remover of sins and the Protector of all beings; prostration to the Lord who is blue-necked One and the fair-necked One; prostration to the Lord Rudra having matted-locked One and the clean-shaven One; prostration to the Rudra who possess thousand-eyed One (in the form of Indra) and Him who wields multiple bows. 

All the attributes can easily be found in Puranas as well, except the following

• prostration to the matted-locked One and the clean-shaven One;

We all knew that Lord Shiva is referred and portrayed as having matted-hair lock, but only few people are aware that Lord Shiva is also portrayed as Clean Shaven head.

“vaiśampāyana uvāca 

ēvaṁ prayatamānānā

 vṛṣṇīnāmandhakaiḥ saha.

kālō gṛhāṇi sarvēṣā 

̃ paricakrāma nityaśaḥ |1

karālō vikaṭō muṇḍaḥ puruṣaḥ kṛṣṇapiṅgalaḥ.
gṛhāṇyāvēkṣya vṛṣṇīnā 

nādṛśyata kvacitkvacit |2

tamaghnanta mahēṣvāsāḥ śaraiḥ śatasahasraśaḥ.
na cāśakyata vēddhu 

 sa sarvabhūtātyayastadā |” (Mahabharat 16:2:1-3)

“[Vaishampayana said:] While the Vrishnis and the Andhakas were thus endeavouring (to avoid the impending 

calamity), the embodied form of Time (death) every day wandered about their houses. He looked like a man of 

terrible and fierce aspect. Of bald head, he was black and of tawny complexion. Sometimes he was seen by the 

Vrishnis as he peered into their houses. The mighty bowmen among the Vrishnis shot hundreds and thousands of 

shafts at him, but none of these succeeded in piercing him, for he was none else than the Destroyer of all 

creatures”.

Here in the Mahabharata Lord Shiva is depicted as Bald headed, and Krsnapingalam (Androgynous Form). Thus again it is proved that Vedic Rudra is not different from Parvati-Pati.

Let's analyse more verse from Sri Rudram;

namo giriśāya ca śipiviṣṭāya ca namo mīḍhuṣṭamāya  (Sri Rudram)
Prostration to Lord Rudra who resides in the mountains(Kailasha) and to Lord Rudra who is Śipivista(who assumes the form of Vishnu).

Here once again Vedic Rudra is described to resides in the Mountain. Same is the Case of Lord Shiva who resides in the Mountain(Kailasha).  So once again Lord Shiva is identical in Veda and Puranas. 




namaḥ somāya ca rudrāya ca namastāmrāya 
cāruṇāya ca namaḥ śaṅgāya ca paśupataye ca nama
ugrāya ca bhīmāya ca.  (Sri Rudram)
Prostration to (that) Lord who has Uma as His consort and who causes to flee all sorrows (of samsara); prostration to Rudra who is crimson-coloured (as the rising sun) and is reddish (as the sun risen above the horizon); prostration to Him who brings about the peace (and happiness) of beings and protects all creatures; prostration to Him who is terrible (to foes) and fearful (to those who oppose Him). 

The above Anuvaka of Sri Rudram clearly says that Rudra is having Uma as his consort. Does we require any evidence to verify that Uma or Parvati is wife of Lord Shiva in Puranas too?

So once again Vedic Rudra is none other then Lord Shiva. 

sahasrāṇi sahasradhā bāhuvostava hetayaḥ,

tāsāmīśāno bhagavaḥ parācīnā mukhā kṛdhi. (Sri Rudram)

Lord! In Your (infinite) hands are infinite weapons of diverse types; You are master over them all. Condescend to turn their faces away from us. 

It may sound new that Lord Shiva is depicted as thousand(Infinite) hands,  in which he is  holding thousand weapons. But as we have seen that Lord Shiva is विश्वरूप and hence Shiva having infinite hands is not at all new concept. Yet we shall analyse other Scripture which says Lord Shiva as Universal Form. As we had already seen Shiv-Gita Ch-7, were Lord Shiva shows his Universal Form to Sri Rama, it is beyond doubt that Lord Shiva is having Infinite hands. Svetasvatara Upanishad(3:14), (Kaushitaki Brahmana 6:02),  (Satapatha Brahmana

9:1:1:6-7) and Rig-Veda clearly proves that Lord Shiva is having infinite hands. 

We shall analyse Purana since we are proving that Lord Shiva is having infinite hands. In Ishwara-Gita Chapter 5: verse-8 of Kurma-Purana Lord Shiva is verily depicted as having thousand(Infinite) hands. 

"The one who has thousand heads, thousand feet, thousand arms, adorned with matted-locks of  hair, and had crescent moon over head." (Ishwar Gita 5: 08) 

So once again it is proved beyond doubt that Lord Shiva is indeed Vedic Rudra. 

Let's analyse last verse of Sri Rudram for this Section (CLAIM-1). The same mantra exists in Rigveda (7:59:12) also.

tryaṁbakaṁ yajāmahe sugandhiṁ puṣṭivardhanam,

urvārukamiva bandhanānmṛtyor-mukśīya mā'mṛtāt. (Sri Rudram)

We worship the Three-Eyed One, fragrant , increasing strength and prosperity ; may I (we) be freed from death for the sake of immortality, as a cucumber is freed from its hold. 

Here Rudra of Veda who is having three eyes is adored and prayed to give salvation. The very same thing is mentioned in Puranas. 

It is always a Shiva’s mantra. Puranas have many stories to support this –

1. Daksha Prajapati cursed Chandra to suffer from leprosy, chandra worshiped lord Rudra with his Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra and got cured by his grace and that’s how Somanatha-Jyotirlinga of lord Shiva was established by Chandra (One may refer to any Purana where Somanatha Jyotirlinga story is discussed).

2. Shukracharya obtained Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra with which he gained “Mrita-Sanjeevani-Vidya” again because it was Mahadeva’s grace and his Mantra’s potency..

3. Markandeya wrote a hymn on Lord Shiva which runs under the name of “Maha-Mrityunjaya-Stotram”

4. Sage Kashyapa prays to Bhagawan Rudra calling him Tryambaka and puShtidam in Harivamsa Parva which is an appendix to Mahabharata as follows. puShtidam (Health giver) is a synonym of puShtivardhanam (health increaser). Therefore clearly this mantra cited below is a derived from Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra alone…

“tryaMbakaM puShTidaM vo bruvANaM | dharmaM viprANAM varadaM yajvanAM cha |

varAdvaraM raNajetAramIshaM | devaM devAnAM sharaNaM yAmi rudram ||” (Harivamsa Parva 2:72:45)

”I seek refuge in Lord rudra (mahAdeva) who has three eyes, who flourishes all, who advises brahmins and vice men on dharma, who provides the wishes of the masters of the sacrifice, who is the best of the best, the lord who is the winner of battles, who is the lord of gods”.

Thus Maha-Mrityunjay mantra is Verily Shiva's Mantra. So Rudra of Veda is beyond doubt Lord Shiva who is adored and worshiped presently by Shaivites. 

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CLAIM-2: - There is no mention of Shiva in Vedas, there is mentioned of Rudra-s (Plural) or storm gods but not Shiva.

This Claim clearly reflecting sheer ignorance of those people who propagate such things.  To those people who says Shiva is not mentioned in Vedas The following Verses are strong Jolt to them. 

yā te rudra śivā tanūh śivā viśvāha bheṣajī,

śivā rudrasya bheṣajī tayā no mṛḍa jīvase. (Sri Rudram)

Rudra! That which is your auspicious form, auspicious as the universal panacea for all ills, auspicious as the bestower of (knowledge and realisation of) Your Rudra form—with that make us live in happiness. 

The famous Panchakshari mantra(five-syllable mantra) itself is from Vedas. 

namaśśaṁbhave ca mayobhave ca namaḥ śaṁkarāya
ca mayaskarāya ca namaḥ śivāya ca śivatarāya ca. (Sri Rudram)
Prostration to Him who is the source of bliss, spiritual as well as temporal; prostration to Him who dispenses all happiness, heavenly as well as earthly; prostration to Him who is the Auspicious One, and is more auspicious than anything else. 

yā ta iṣuḥ śivatamā śivaṁ babhūva te dhanuḥ,
śivā śaravyā yā tava tayā no rudra mṛḍaya. (Sri Rudram)
This, Thy arrow that has become exceedingly peaceful (to the devout); Thy bow  become a source of auspiciousness, and Thy quiver of blessedness; with these, O Valiant One (Rudra), make us happy. 

yā te rudra śivā tanūraghorā'pāpakāśinī, 
tayā nastanuvā śantamayā giriśaṁtābhicākaśīhi. (Sri Rudram)
Rudra! That blessed and benign form of Thine, which obliterates the trace of all sins—with that most hallowed and calm phase of Thy being, reveal Thyself to us, O Radiator of Peace from the Mount of Kailasa! 

yāmiṣuṁ giriśaṁta haste bibharṣyastave, 
śivāṁ giritra tāṁ kuru mā higṁsīḥ puruṣaṁ jagat. (Sri Rudram)
O Benefactor from the Mount of Kailasa! That arrow which Thou wieldest for aiming at enemies, make that benign (in respect of us). Harm not human beings or others in creation, O Protector on the sacred Mount! 

Hope this itself proves that Rudra is clearly addressed as Shiva in Vedas. To all those people who still have doubt that Shiva is not mentioned in Veda and Only Rudra is mentioned, let's end this section with last verse from Veda where Lord Shiva himself says that I am Sada-Shiva. 

iishaanaH sarvavidyaanaamiishvaraH sarvabhuutaanaaM |
brahmaadhipatirbrahmaNo.adhipatirbrahmaa shivo me astu sadaashivom.h |” (Taittiriya Aranyaka 10.21.1) “May the Supreme who is the ruler of all knowledge, controller of all created beings, the preserver of the Vedas and the one overlord of Hiranyagarbha, be benign to me. I am the Sadasiva described thus and denoted by Pranava"

Coming to Rudras (Plural) are mentioned, then that 11 Rudras are just Manifestation of Rudra(Parvati-Pati) and this is clearly explained in Parvati-Pati - Father of 11 Rudras  article.
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CLAIM-3  Indra, Agni, Varuna etc are main gods of Vedas. And Puranic Scripture demean Vedic Deities to propund their sectarian Deities. 

Well, Veda(s) don't praises multiple deity but it is ONE Divinity, whose glories are sung by Veda(s). 

“इन्द्रं॑ मि॒त्रं वरु॑णम॒ग्निमा॑हु॒रथो॑ दि॒व्यः स सु॑प॒र्णो ग॒रुत्मा॑न् ।एकं॒ सद्विप्रा॑ बहु॒धा व॑दन्त्य॒ग्निं य॒मं मा॑त॒रिश्वा॑नमाहुः ॥४६॥ (Rig Veda 1.164.46)They called him Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni; and he is heavenly Garuda, who has beautiful wings. The truth is one, but the sages (or learned ones) call it by many names or describe him in many ways; they called him Agni, Yama, Mātariśvan.

Before moving to any above mentioned Deity, let's analyse one secret which is mentioned in above verse. 

"The truth is one, but the sages (or learned ones) call it by many names or describe him in many ways"

The same truth is explained by Upanishad(s)

“Rudra is truly one; for the knowers of Brahman do not admit the existence of a second, He alone rules all the worlds by His powers. He dwells as the inner Self of every living being. After having created all the worlds, He, their Protector, takes them back into Himself at the end of time”. (Svetaswatara Upanishad 3:02)

There is a hymn on Vratya (Ascetic Shiva) in Atharva Veda which details out how Vratya (Shiva) transformed himselfinto various gods and manifested them from his form. Let’s see the verses now.

Shiva became Indra:

“sá yád dákṣiṇāṃ díśam ánu vyácalad índro bhūtvā́nuvyàcalad bálam annādáṃ kr̥tvā́ |”“He, when he went away to the southern region, went away having become Indra, and having made Strength an eater of food”. (Atharva Veda XV:14:2)

Even Kaushitaki Brahmana says the same 

“sa.vai.tvam.ity.abravīd.aśanir.eva.iti yad.aśanir.indras.tena |” (Kaushitaki Brahmana 6:3:41)“Prajapathi said to Rudra ‘Thou art Asani’ ; for Asani is Indra”.

Shiva became Varuna:

“sá yát pratīć īṃ díśam ánu vyácalad váruṇo rā́jā bhūtvā́nuvyàcalad apò ‘nnādīḥ́ kr̥tvā́ |”“He, when he went away to the western region, went away having become King Varuna, and having made the Waters eaters of food”. (Atharva Veda XV:14:3)

Shiva became Agni:

“sá yán manuṣyā̀n ánu vyácalad agnír bhūtvā́nuvyàcalat svāhākārám annādáṃ kr̥tvā́ |”“He, when he went away to men, went away having become Agni and having made the exclamation Svāhā an eater of food”. (Atharva Veda XV:14:8)

Shatpath Brahman too says the same. 

“tadvā agnaya iti kriyate | agnirvai sa devastasyaitāni nāmāni śarva iti yathā prācyāācakṣate bhava iti yathā bāhīkāḥ paśūnām patī rudro ‘gnirititānyasyāśāntānyevetarāṇi nāmānyagnirityeva śāntatamaṃ tasmādagnaya iti kriyatesviṣṭakṛta iti |” (Shatapatha Brahmana 1:7:3:8)“That (offering) then is certainly made to ‘Agni,’ for, indeed, Agni is THAT god;–his are these names: Sarva, as the eastern people call him; Bhava, as the Bâhîkas (call him); Pasûnâm pati (‘lord of beasts,’ Pasupati), Rudra, Agni. The name Agni, doubtless, is the most auspicious (sânta), and the other names of his are inauspicious: hence it is offered to (him under the name of) ‘Agni,’ and to (him as) the Svishtakrit”.

Mahabharata itself states various vibhootis of lord Shiva where lord Shiva is praised by the following verse.

“ādityānāṃ bhavān viṣṇur vasūnāṃ caiva pāvakaḥ |pakṣiṇāṃ vainateyaś ca ananto bhujageṣu ca |” (Mahabharat 13:14:158)“Among the Adityas thou art Vishnu (Upendra), among the Vasu thou art Pavaka, among birds thou art the son of Vinata (Garuda), and among snakes thou art Ananta (Sesha)”.

(So Lord Shiva is verily Garuda too. Infact "nothing is different from Lord Shiva" as Veda says "सर्वे  वै रुद्र" switching back to Veda(s)...)

Shiva became Yama:

“sá yát pitr̥̄ń ánu vyácalad yamó rā́jā bhūtvā́nuvyàcalat svadhākārám annādáṃ kr̥tvā́ |" 

“He, when he went away to the Fathers, went away having become King Yama and having made the exclamation Svadhā an eater of food”.  (Atharva Veda XV:14:7)

 Moreover, Ishwar Gita and Shiv-Gita too depict various Vibhootis of Lord Shiva. So all the Deities, in Vedas be it Indra, Varuna, Maitra, Agni etc all are "Position". They are epithet to address Parvati-Pati under various names.

CONCLUSION: - Lord Shiva is "वेद-पुरुष " as mentioned by Vedas. And all epithet like Indra, Maitra, Varuna, Agni etc are different names through which veda praises Consort of Bhavani. 

               

Lord Vishnu Foremost Devotee of Lord Shiva

Devotion is the way to Salvation. And Lord Shiva is the Provider of Kaivalya-Moksha the highest of Salvation. There are many Devotees of Mahadeva-God of all deities. Be it Pushpadanta, Rishi (Sage)Dathichi, Maharishi Kashyap, Lord Vishnu, Chandra-Dev(Moon),  Rishi Svetaswatara just to name a few.

Lord Shiva is also known as "Sarveshwar" means Lord of every-being whomsoever we mentioned. Lord Shiva is most worshiped  Lord in entire Universe. Every living creature worships Lord Shiva. All Creatures including Deities, Sages, Gandharvas, Demons, Humans, Animals and whom not! Everyone Worships Lord Shiva but Lord Shiva worship none.

(Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita 7:15)

“Everyone worships Rudra but Rudra doesn’t worship anyone. For the sake of devotees he meditates on himself”

Thus every creatures worship Lord Maheshwar. In Mahabharata it is said that one should always chants holy name of Lord Shiva in order to remain unaffected from ill-effect of Kali-Yuga.

“haracaraṇaniratamatinā bhavitavyamanārjavaṃ yugaṃ prāpya ||” (MBH 13:14:183a)  

“When the unrighteous or sinful Kali Yuga comes, one should never pass a moment without devoting his heart upon the feet of Hara(Shiva)”.

So as per Mahabharata in this era we shouldn't pass a moment without devotion towards Lotus Feet of Maheshwar.

As discussed above every creature be it deities, sages, humans, demons, gandharvas everyone worship Lord Shiva. And the foremost devotee of Lord Shiva is Sri Hari Vishnu. We will see it on the basis of Veda-Upanishad-Itihasa-Purana.

Lord Vishnu the great Devotee of Shiva as per Vedas.

Shatapatha Brahmana of Shukla Yajur-Veda describes how nArAyan Rishi become one with Mahadev.

"puruṣo ha nārāyaṇo'kāmayata atitiṣṭheyaṃ sarvāṇi bhūtānyahamevedaṃ sarvaṃ syāmiti sa etam puruṣamedham pañcarātram yajñakratumapaśyattamāharattenāyajata teneṣṭvātyatiṣṭhatsarvāṇi bhūtānīdaṃ sarvamabhavadatitiṣṭhati sarvāṇi bhūtānīdaṃ sarvam bhavati ya evam vidvānpuruṣamedhena yajate yo vaitadevam veda" ( Sathapatha Brahmana 13:6:1:1)

Meaning:

"Purusha Narayana desired, 'Would that I overpassed all beings ! would that I alone were everything- here (this universe) !' He beheld this 'five days' sacrificial performance, the Purushamedha and took it  and performed offering therewith ; and having performed offering therewith, he overpassed all beings, and became everything here. And, verily, he who, knowing this, performs the Purushamedha, or who even knows this, overpasses all beings, and becomes everything here."

Lord Shiva is Veda-Purusha as confirmed in the Taittiriya Aranyaka 10:24:1 "purusho vai rudrah" means Lord Shiva is (Veda) Purusha.

Thus Vedas says that Narayan Rishi due to his devotion and Non-Dual Knowledge of "Purusha" he becomes identical with Purusha(Shiva). Moreover this Narayan Rishi was Mantra-Drsta(Seer) of the Hymn Purusha-Suktam. Now let's see even Upanishad(s) confirms that Vishnu is Great Devotee of Mahadeva.

Lord Vishnu the Foremost Shaiva as per Upanishad.

We had seen that Vishnu Worships Shiva in Vedas and now Upanishads too Convey the same. In the Upanishads it is said that Vishnu became All-Pervading due to Grace of Lord Omkareshwar(Shiva).

“sarvakaraNAni manasi saMpratiShThApya dhyAna.n viShNuH prANaM manasi saha karaNaiH saMpratiShThApya dhyAtA rudraH prANaM manasi sahakaraNairnAdAnte paramAtmani saMpratiShThApya dhyAyIteshAnaM pradhyAyitavya.n sarvamidaM |” (Atharvashika Upanishad 2:1 )

“The pranava (the sound of Om) makes all the souls to bow before it. It is the one and only one which has to be meditated upon as the four Vedas and the birth place of all devas. One who meditates like that goes away from all sorrows and fears and gets the power to protect all others who approach him. It is because of this meditation only that Lord Vishnu who is spread every where, wins over all others. It is because Lord Brahma controlled all his organs and meditated upon it, he attained the position of the creator. Even Lord Vishnu , parks his mind in the sound (Om) of the place of Paramathma (ultimate soul) and meditates upon Eeshana, who is most proper to be worshipped. All this is only proper in case of Eeshana”. 

Thus Upanishads too confirms that Lord Vishnu is Foremost Devotee of Lord Shiva. The Vedas and Upanishad are considered as "Shruti" and Shruti Clearly mentions that Lord Vishnu is adherent Devotee of Parvati-Pati. Due to this reason Lord Shiva is also called "hari-vallabh".

Lord Vishnu is Dear Devotee of Lord Mahakaal as per Itihasa.

The Itihasa are also treated as 5th Veda. And thus Itihasa is considered as much important Scriptures. Regarding this, Mahabharata confirms that Sri Krishna is great Devotee of Lord Sada-Shiva.

The below verse has been spoken by Veda-Vyasa in Mahabharata.

“sa eṣa rudra bhaktaś ca keśavo rudra saṃbhavaḥ | sarvabhūtabhavaṃ jñātvā liṅge ‘rcayati yaḥ prabhum | tasminn abhyadhikāṃ prītiṃ karoti vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ |” (MBH 7:172:89-90)

“Kesava is that devoted worshipper of Rudra who has sprung from Rudra himself. Kesava always worships the Lord Siva, regarding his Linga emblem to be the origin of the universe. The God having the bull for his mark cherisheth greater regard for Kesava”.

Thus, Ved-Vyasa confirms that Sri Krishna is Great Devotee of Lord Pashupati.

The below verses has been spoken by Bheeshma in Mahabharata.

“rudrabhaktyā tu kṛṣṇena jagadvyāptaṃ mahātmanā।taṃ prasādya tadā devaṃ badaryāṃ kila bhārata॥ 10arthātpriyataratvaṃ ca sarvalokeṣu vai tadā।prāptavāneva rājendra suvarṇākṣānmaheśvarāt॥ ” (MBH 13:14:10-11) 

“It is in consequence of the devotion of the high-souled Krishna to the illustrious Rudra whom he gratified. O Bharata, in the retreat of Vadari, by penances, that he (Krishna) has succeeded in pervading the entire universe. O king of kings, it is through Maheswara of celestial vision that Vasudeva has obtained the attribute of universal agreeableness,–an agreeableness that is much greater than what is possessed by all articles included under the name of wealth“.
 “yuge yuge tu kṛṣṇena toṣito vai maheśvaraḥ।bhaktyā paramayā caiva prītaścaiva mahātmanaḥ॥” (MBH 13:14:13) 

“In every new Yuga has Krishna (by such penances) gratified Mahadeva. In every Yuga has Mahadeva been gratified with the great devotion of the high-souled Krishna“.

Here Bheeshma-Pitamah too agrees that Sri Krishna is Great Devotee of Lord Trayambak(Shiva).

Not Only this he also says that In every new Yuga Lord Shiva is adored by Sri Krishna. And we already know that In every yuga Incarnation of Sri Hari Vishnu worships Mahadeva.

Lord Vishnu and his most of his incarnation worships Lord Shiva, thus in Mahabharata Bheesma said it and Ved-Vyasa recorded this.

Vishnu worships Mahadeva sincerely, with Pure Devotion, and utmost Faith due to which Lord Omkareshwar(Sada-Shiva) also declares Lord Sri Vishnu as the Greatest Shaiva and this is recorded in the Mahabharata and even in Puranas. 

The following are the verse spoken by Lord Shiva himself

“satyaśaucārjava tyāgais tapasā niyamena ca | kṣāntyā bhaktyā ca dhṛtyā ca buddhyā ca vacasā tathā | yathāvad aham ārāddhaḥ kṛṣṇenākliṣṭakarmaṇā | tasmād iṣṭatamaḥ kṛṣṇād anyo mama na vidyate |” (MBH 10:7:60-61)

“With truth, purity, sincerity, resignation, ascetic austerities, vows, forgiveness, devotion, patience, thought, and word, I have been duly adored by Krishna of pure deeds. For this there is none dearer to me than Krishna”. 

Thus even Itihasa and Veda-Vyasa too Consider Lord Vishnu as the best Shaiva ever in the History and even no one can replace Devotion of Lord Vishnu towards lotus-feet of Maheswar.

Not only this, Lord Krishna also undertook Pashupat Diksha(Initiation) and is recorded in the Mahabharata.
The detailed information is Shared on this Link.

• Lord Krishna and Pashupat Diksha Part-1

• Lord Krishna and Pashupat Diksha Part-2

 Really the author of that Blog earned huge respect from bottom of my heart.

Lord Vishnu is best Shaiva as per Puranas.

Not Only Veda-Upanishad and Mahabharata but even Puranas celebrate the bhakti of Lord Vishnu as the Purest Form and Vishnu as foremost devotee of Lord Shiva. In above verse as per Mahabharata Shiva clearly says that due to extreme unconditional devotion and affection of Vishnu(Krishna) no one is dear to him other then Vishnu.

The Very same thing is narrated by Lord Shiva in Shiva Maha-Purana. Let's see.

“īśvara uvāca | vatsaprasanno ‘smi hare yatastvamīśatvamicchannapi satyavākyam | brūyāstataste bhavitā janeṣu sāmyaṃ mayā satkṛtirapyalapthāḥ ||31 itaḥ paraṃ te pṛthagātmanaśca kṣetrapratiṣṭhotsavapūjanaṃ ca ||” (Shiva Purana 1:7:31-32a) “[Ishwara said:] Hey dear son Vishnu! I am highly pleased with you because even though you were desirous of gaining lordship (superiority) you remained a speaker of truth (didn’t lie to achieve victory); for this reason you would gain the lordship on this universe and you would gain equality with me and even would be honoured by me. From this day separate idols of yours would get established in various shrines and you would receive worship”.

Now the same is mentioned by Lord Vishnu in the Padma-Purana. In Padma-Purana Lord Vishnu also says that he contemplating(meditating) on Lord Shiva. Thus in Padma-Purana Lord Vishnu says the following words to Mother Lakshmi-Devi. Note that the below words were spoken by Lord Vishnu himself to his dear consort in response to inquiry of Lakshmi-Mata.

“śrībhagavānuvāca |
nāhaṃ sumukhi nidrālurnijaṃ māheśvaraṃ vapuḥ |
dṛśā tatvānuvarttinyā paśyāmyaṃtarnimagnayā ||” (Padma Purana:UK:175:7)
“[The lord said]: O you of beautiful face, I’m not sleeping, rather, by the vision which sees (follows) the truth, I am contemplating by being fixed (nimagna) in my true form of lord Maheshvara (lord Shiva)".

The Very same thing is confirmed in the (Atharvashika Upanishad 2:1) and same is being repeated by Lord Vishnu in Padma-Purana. Shiva-Purana too mentioned the same concept of Upanishad and Veda.

Infact, inside the Padma-Purana there is  a Great Gem(Scripture) in the form of Shiva-Gita. (The Shiv Gita is highly revered text in the Path of Sprituality. Moreover Exellent Commentary on Shiva-Gita is presented by Shankaracharya's Lineage Aacharya Sri Abhinava Nrisimha Bharati of Sringiri. The one who is interested to read Shiva-Gita can contact Sringiri Maththh.) 

Besides these even Valmiki Ramayan mentions about Rama Worshiping Lord Shiva.

Sri Rama himself says the following Verse in the Valmiki Ramayan.

Valmiki Ramayan, Yudhha Khanda, Sarga 123 Verse 19

एतत् कुक्षौ समुद्रस्य स्कन्धावारनिवेशनम् || ६-१२३-१९
अत्र पूर्वं महादेवः प्रसादमकरोत्प्रभुः |
"See this island, located in the middle of the ocean, where my troops were stationed. At this place, the lord Shiva (the supreme deity) formerly bestowed his grace on me."

Thus Devotion of Great Shiva-Devotee(Vishnu) is even glorified in Puranas.  Therefore Veda-Upanishads-Itihasa-Purana all Gloriously Celebrate and mention the Great and Unmatched Devotion of lord Vishnu towards Lord Vishwanath(Lord of Universe.)
 Lastly I submit my article to the lotus feet of Uma-Maheshwar .

                                                                                                || ॐ ||

                                                                                     || नमः  शिवाय  ||

Vishwanathastakam

Vishwanathastakam is one of the best Hymns and work of Adi-Shankaracharya, in Praise of Lord Shiva - Consort of Adi- Shakti Durga. Anyone who wants to hear this beautiful hymns of Adi - Shankaracharya can click on the link mentioned below.

        Vishwanathastakam 

 (Pls note that I do not own that video; all credit goes to the maker of that video) 

गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं 

गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम् ।

नारायणप्रियमनङ्गमदापहारं

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥१॥

Meaning;-

Prostration to Lord of Universe- "Vishwanath", his matted hair forming beautiful pattern and it is beautifully decorated with the stream of Holy River Ganga. Left-Half of the Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath" is always adorned and occupied by Devi Parvati(Adi - Shakti).  Lord of Universe- "Vishwanath"  destroyed ego of Kaamdeva and Vishnu is dear to him.  He is Lord of Kashi Prostration to that  Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath"

वाचामगोचरमनेकगुणस्वरूपं

वागीशविष्णुसुरसेवितपादपीठम् ।

वामेन विग्रहवरेण कलत्रवन्तं

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥२॥

Meaning;- 

Prostration to Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath", he is personification  of many Divine Attributes, that are totally beyond speech. Bramha, Vishnu and other Devas (Suras) serves the Divine seat of divine lotus feet of that Lord. Divine Form of his left-half is united with his consort, He is Lord of Kashi and Prostration to  that  Lord of Universe-"Vishwanath" 

भूताधिपं भुजगभूषणभूषिताङ्गं
व्याघ्राजिनाम्बरधरं जटिलं त्रिनेत्रम् ।
पाशाङ्कुशाभयवरप्रदशूलपाणिं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥३॥

Meaning;- 

Prostration to Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath", who wears the ornament of serpents are there on his Divine Body, Skin of Tiger is his Garment he is Verily Lord of (all) beings. That Lord of Universe is having matted hair and three eyes, holding Pasha (noose), Angkusha (hook), bestower of fearlessness and Boons, Holding Trident in his hand. He is the Lord of Kashi Prostration to  that Lord of Universe -"Vishwanath" 

शीतांशुशोभितकिरीटविराजमानं

भालेक्षणानलविशोषितपञ्चबाणम् ।

नागाधिपारचितभासुरकर्णपुरं

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥४॥

Meaning;- 

 Prostration to Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath", dazzling  Cold moon becomes his Crown, his fire( of third eye) from his forehead expires five arrows of Manmath,  Serpents are his ear-rings. He is the Lord of Kashi and I worship that Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath"

पञ्चाननं दुरितमत्तमतङ्गजानां

नागान्तकं दनुजपुङ्गवपन्नगानाम् ।

दावानलं मरणशोकजराटवीनां

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥५॥

Meaning;-

 Prostration to Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath", that Lord of universe  resembles like lion, Conquering the  Sins and Passions (within us), He resembles "Enemy of Serpent" slaying Serpants (Demons within us,) That Lord is personification of forest fire which burns the Forest of Sorrow of death and Old age. He is the Lord of Kashi andprostration to that Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath"

तेजोमयं सगुणनिर्गुणमद्वितीयम्_

आनन्दकन्दमपराजितमप्रमेयम्

नागात्मकं सकलनिष्कलमात्मरूपं ।

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥६॥

Meaning;- 

My Prostration to Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath", He is Tejomaya, assuming many form with Qualities or Attribures (Saguna Form) yet beyond all Forms (Nirguna), That Lord of Universe is Non-Dual, His nature congested with Supreme Bliss which neither can be surpassed by anything nor can be measured (by any mean), His divine Body is adorned with serpants, his divine nature is merged in "Atman", he is complete and Undivided. He is Lord of Kashi and Prostration to that Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath" 

रागादिदोषरहितं स्वजनानुरागं

वैराग्यशान्तिनिलयं गिरिजासहायम् ।

माधुर्यधैर्यसुभगं गरलाभिरामं

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥७॥

Meaning;- 

 Prostration to Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath", free from all "vices" like passion and other, and is affectionate towards his Devotees. "Vishwanath" is an abode of Eternal Peace derived from Non-Attachment and his cosort is  Devi Girija, That Lord resembles sweetness of Patience, Verily divine is his presence, His throat is adorned by mark of Poison, He is the Lord of Kashi and Prostration to that Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath"

आशां विहाय परिहृत्य परस्य निन्दां

पापे रतिं च सुनिवार्य मनः समाधौ ।

आदाय हृत्कमलमध्यगतं परेशं

वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥८॥

Meaning;- 

 One should abandoning all  materialistic Desires, leaving Habit of Condemning other, Constraining from gladness in sins, affiliate our mind in Samadhi, in refuge of Supreme Lord  (परेशं)  within our Lotus of Heart. He is the Lord of Kashi and prostration to that Lord of Universe - "Vishwanath"

वाराणसीपुरपतेः स्तवनं शिवस्य
व्याख्यातमष्टकमिदं पठते मनुष्यः
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं
सम्प्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम् ॥

Meaning;- 

Those Individuals who recite this eulogy of eight Verses in praise of Lord Shiva - Who is Lord of  Kashi(Varansi) will attain "Vidhya"- Knowledge; "Sriya"- Prosperity; Eternal Joy and Endless glory and Ultimately He will attian Liberation.