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
Then again Mahādeva—whose heart was pleased, who is dear to His devotees, and whose mind is purified by devotion—spoke to that Dānava, Gajāsura.
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.