Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 25
वीरभद्रक्रोधशमनं देवस्तुतिश्च
Pacification of Vīrabhadra and the Gods’ Hymn
मेदुरं तारयामास सदारं च घृणानिधिः । शारदां विधवां चक्रे सधवां क्रियया भवान्
meduraṃ tārayāmāsa sadāraṃ ca ghṛṇānidhiḥ | śāradāṃ vidhavāṃ cakre sadhavāṃ kriyayā bhavān
The ocean of compassion delivered Medura together with his wife; and by the power of your sacred rite, O Bhava (Śiva), you turned Śāradā—who had become a widow—into one who had her husband again.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya discourse to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Exempla of Śiva’s compassion (ghṛṇānidhi): deliverance of Medura (with spouse) and restoration of Śāradā’s married state through ‘kriyā’—ritual efficacy grounded in Śiva’s grace.
Significance: Affirms that Śiva’s anugraha can ‘carry across’ (tārayāmāsa) devotees from sin/suffering and restore social-auspicious order; encourages kriyā (ritual observance) as a means of approaching grace.
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It praises Śiva as the “ocean of compassion” who liberates devotees from suffering and bondage, showing that divine grace (anugraha) can restore dharma and well-being even in seemingly irreversible loss.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—Bhava—responding to devotion through “kriyā” (ritual action), which in Purāṇic Shaiva practice commonly centers on Liṅga-pūjā, vrata, and prescribed observances that invite Śiva’s saving grace.
It points to the efficacy of Shaiva kriyā—regular worship and vow-based observance—supported by mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a practical means to seek Śiva’s protection and restoration of auspiciousness.
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