Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 55
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य शंकरः करुणानिधिः । प्रहस्य प्रत्युवाचेशो माहिषेयं गजासुरम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya śaṃkaraḥ karuṇānidhiḥ | prahasya pratyuvāceśo māhiṣeyaṃ gajāsuram
Sanatkumāra sprach: Als Śaṅkara, ein Ozean des Mitgefühls, seine Worte vernommen hatte, lächelte er, und der Herr erwiderte Gajāsura, dem Sohn des Mahiṣa.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the narrative pivot is Śiva’s compassionate response to an asura, foreshadowing boon and transformation.
Significance: Models the devotional psychology of approaching Śiva: even fierce beings can receive grace when they turn toward Him; reinforces anugraha as Śiva’s defining act.
FAQs
It highlights Shiva as Karuṇānidhi—compassion itself—showing that even in conflict the Lord’s response is governed by grace, not hatred, aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s vision of Pati (Shiva) guiding beings through purification.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva’s approachable, personal Lordship: He hears, smiles, and speaks—qualities devotees relate to in Linga worship, where the formless is reverently approached through a concrete sacred presence and divine compassion.
Adopt a compassionate, Shiva-like inner stance in japa: repeat the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with steadiness, offering anger and fear into Shiva’s grace (an inner abhiṣeka), especially suitable for Mahāśivarātri sādhanā.