Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
शङ्खचूडकस्य राज्याभिषेकः तथा शक्रपुरीं प्रति प्रस्थानम् | Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Coronation and March toward Indra’s City
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा सविधिर्विष्णुः शिवलोकं जगाम ह । संस्मरन्मनसा शंभुं सर्वेशं भक्तवत्सलम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityuktvā savidhirviṣṇuḥ śivalokaṃ jagāma ha | saṃsmaranmanasā śaṃbhuṃ sarveśaṃ bhaktavatsalam
সনৎকুমার বললেন—এ কথা বলে বিষ্ণু ব্রহ্মাসহ শিবলোকে গেলেন এবং মনে মনে শম্ভু—সর্বেশ্বর, ভক্তবৎসল—কে স্মরণ করতে লাগলেন।
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Remembrance (smaraṇa) of Śambhu as bhaktavatsala is presented as a direct means to attain Śiva’s loka—devotional recollection as a purāṇic soteriology.
Mantra: śaṃbhuṃ sarveśaṃ bhaktavatsalam
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights manasa-smaraṇa (inner remembrance) of Śiva as Sarveśa and Bhaktavatsala—showing that devotion and inward contemplation draw the soul toward Śiva’s grace and higher states, aligning with Shaiva Siddhānta emphasis on Pati (Śiva) as the supreme Lord who uplifts the bound being (paśu).
Remembering Śambhu with qualities like “Lord of all” and “dear to devotees” is Saguna-bhakti: worship of Śiva with attributes. Such remembrance supports Linga-worship as a concrete focus for devotion, where the devotee contemplates Śiva’s presence and compassion while offering worship outwardly and inwardly.
A practical takeaway is daily manasa-japa and dhyāna: mentally repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Śiva as Bhaktavatsala; this can be paired with simple Shaiva observances like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and using rudrākṣa for japa.