Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
दिव्य-भवन-छत्र-निर्माणः तथा देवसमाह्वानम्
Divine Pavilion and Canopy; Summoning the Gods
तदाप्रभृति लक्ष्मीशो गोपवेषोभवत्तथा । अयासीत्तत्र सुप्रीत्या गोपगोपोगवां पतिः
tadāprabhṛti lakṣmīśo gopaveṣobhavattathā | ayāsīttatra suprītyā gopagopogavāṃ patiḥ
Von da an nahm der Herr der Lakṣmī die Gestalt eines Kuhhirten an. In großer Freude ging er dorthin—Beschützer der Gopas und Herr der Herden—aus liebevoller Hingabe.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Sthala Purana: The verse uses pastoral disguise (gopa-veṣa) as a narrative device of divine concealment; not tied to a specific jyotirliṅga episode here.
Significance: Contemplation of ‘tirodhāna’—the Lord’s veiling through forms—supports humility and surrender, seeing divine play in ordinary guises.
Shakti Form: Lalitā
FAQs
It highlights how even the highest divinity adopts humility and service (a simple cowherd guise) to uphold dharma; in Shaiva framing, this models bhakti and surrender as supportive means toward Shiva’s grace.
The verse emphasizes devotion expressed through accessible forms and roles; similarly, Saguna Shiva worship—especially through the Liṅga—gives a concrete focus for reverence, humility, and loving approach to the Supreme.
Adopt a mood of humble service and devotion while doing japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”); let outer simplicity mirror inner surrender, as the verse praises affectionate, joyful approach.