Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
तं नत्वा कथितं सर्वं मया वृत्तांतमीप्सितम् । सन्तस्थिरे सर्वदेवा चित्रे पुत्तलिका यथा
taṃ natvā kathitaṃ sarvaṃ mayā vṛttāṃtamīpsitam | santasthire sarvadevā citre puttalikā yathā
তাঁকে প্রণাম করে আমি অভিপ্রেত সমস্ত বৃত্তান্ত সম্পূর্ণভাবে বললাম। তখন সকল দেবতা চিত্রে আঁকা পুতুলের মতো নীরব ও নিশ্চল হয়ে দাঁড়িয়ে রইলেন।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights the power of reverent surrender (namaskāra) and truthful narration of dharma: when the divine account is heard, even the gods fall into awe-filled stillness, pointing to the Shaiva ideal that grace culminates in inner quietude and receptivity to Shiva’s will.
The imagery of the devas becoming motionless reflects the devotional effect of Saguna worship—when Shiva is approached through form, story, and praise, the mind becomes steady, preparing the devotee for deeper contemplation of Shiva as the supreme Pati beyond agitation.
A practical takeaway is cultivating stillness after worship: bow, recite Shiva-kathā or mantra (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), then sit quietly—letting devotion settle the mind like a figurine, steady and undistracted.