Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
मुनिप्रश्नवर्णनम्
Description of the Sages’ Questions
भवद्भिः पृच्छ्यते यद्वत्तत्तथा नारदेन वै । पृष्टं पित्रे प्रेरितेन हरिणा शिवरूपिणा
bhavadbhiḥ pṛcchyate yadvattattathā nāradena vai | pṛṣṭaṃ pitre preritena hariṇā śivarūpiṇā
Just as you are asking now, so too did Nārada indeed inquire—prompted by his father—of Hari, who had assumed the form of Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It establishes an authentic lineage of inquiry: the sages’ questions mirror Nārada’s earlier questioning, showing that sincere doubt and reverent inquiry are a sanctioned path to receiving Śiva-tattva (the truth of Śiva).
By stating that Hari assumed a Śiva-form, the verse underscores Saguna revelation—Śiva’s approachable manifestation—supporting devotional worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) as a valid means to know the Supreme.
The takeaway is śravaṇa and praśna (listening and sacred inquiry) in a devotional mood; in practice, this pairs naturally with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while contemplating the non-dual harmony of Hari and Hara.