Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 65
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
पुनः प्रोवाच प्रीतात्मा दानवं तं गजासुरम् । भक्तप्रियो महेशानो भक्तिनिर्मलमानसम्
punaḥ provāca prītātmā dānavaṃ taṃ gajāsuram | bhaktapriyo maheśāno bhaktinirmalamānasam
তারপর প্রীতচিত্ত মহেশ্বর—ভক্তদের প্রিয়, ভক্তিতে নির্মলচিত্ত—সেই দানব গজাসুরকে আবার বললেন।
Lord Shiva (Maheshana) speaking to Gajāsura
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Gajasamhāramūrti
Sthala Purana: The narrative explicitly identifies the recipient as Gajāsura; Śiva’s continued speech sets up the transformation of the asura’s body into a liberative liṅga at a ‘muktisādhana-kṣetra.’
Significance: Models the Siddhānta theme: even a bound being (paśu) can become a vehicle of liberation when touched by Śiva’s grace; the place becomes sanctified through divine speech.
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as bhakta-priya (devotee-loving) and teaches that bhakti purifies the mind; even amid conflict, the Lord’s grace responds to devotion and inner sincerity.
By calling Śiva “Mahēśāna” and “bhakta-priya,” the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching the personal Lord with loving devotion, as in Liṅga-pūjā where bhakti is primary and purifying.
Cultivate bhakti that makes the mind nirmala (pure): daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with simple Liṅga-abhiṣeka and/or Tripuṇḍra-bhasma remembrance, focusing on devotion rather than mere display.