Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
तत्र दृष्ट्वा महेशानं पार्वतीवल्लभं प्रभुम् । दीनरक्षात्तदेहं च सगुणं देवनायकम्
tatra dṛṣṭvā maheśānaṃ pārvatīvallabhaṃ prabhum | dīnarakṣāttadehaṃ ca saguṇaṃ devanāyakam
তাত পাৰ্বতীৱল্লভ প্ৰভু মহেশানক দৰ্শন কৰি, দীনসকলৰ ৰক্ষাৰ্থে ধাৰণ কৰা সেই সগুণ, দেৱনায়কৰ দেহধাৰী ৰূপো তেওঁ দেখিলে।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it emphasizes Śiva’s saguṇa, compassionate embodiment ‘for protecting the distressed,’ aligning with Purāṇic theophany at Kailāsa.
Significance: Darśana of the saguṇa Maheśāna at Kailāsa symbolizes accessibility of the transcendent Lord through grace (anugraha) when beings are afflicted.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights Shiva’s compassionate lordship: though transcendent, he manifests as Saguna (with form and qualities) specifically to protect the afflicted, showing grace as the direct cause of refuge and upliftment.
The verse explicitly names Shiva as “saguṇa,” affirming that devotees may approach him through manifest forms—such as the Linga or iconic forms—because the Lord willingly takes an accessible embodiment for the welfare of beings.
A practical takeaway is Saguna-upāsanā: worship Shiva as Devanāyaka with devotion—reciting the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while contemplating him as the protector of the distressed.