Shloka 21
पुराणविदः महिमा तथा अध्ययन-अध्यापन-दानफलम्
The Glory of the Purāṇa-Knower and the Fruits of Study, Teaching, and Giving
राजसूयेन यत्पुण्यमग्निष्टोमशतेन च । तत्पुण्यं लभते शंभोः कथाश्रवणमात्रतः
rājasūyena yatpuṇyamagniṣṭomaśatena ca | tatpuṇyaṃ labhate śaṃbhoḥ kathāśravaṇamātrataḥ
The merit gained by performing the Rājasūya sacrifice, and even by a hundred Agniṣṭoma sacrifices—that very merit is attained merely by listening to the sacred narrative of Śambhu (Lord Śiva).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific sthala episode; the verse asserts śravaṇa (hearing) of Śiva-kathā as a superior, accessible means whose merit equals major Vedic śrauta sacrifices (Rājasūya, many Agniṣṭomas).
Significance: Frames kathā-śravaṇa as a bhakti-sādhana that yields the same puṇya as elite sacrificial rites, democratizing access to Śiva’s grace.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s grace (anugraha) makes bhakti-centered śravaṇa (devotional listening) spiritually equivalent to great Vedic sacrifices, emphasizing inner purification and devotion over mere ritual magnitude.
Śambhu’s kathā draws the mind to Saguna Śiva—His names, forms, and līlās—supporting Linga-bhakti by cultivating remembrance, reverence, and surrender, which Shaiva tradition holds to be a direct means to merit and upliftment.
Regularly listen to (or recite) Śiva Purāṇa/Śiva-kathā with devotion—especially on auspicious days like Mahāśivarātri—optionally accompanied by japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and simple worship such as offering water to the Liṅga.