Shloka 32
शिवपुराण-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Śiva Purāṇa) / Śivapurāṇa Māhātmya
एतच्छिवपुराणं हि गायते योप्यहर्निशम् । आज्ञां तस्य प्रतीक्षेरन्देवा इन्द्र पुरो गमाः
etacchivapurāṇaṃ hi gāyate yopyaharniśam | ājñāṃ tasya pratīkṣerandevā indra puro gamāḥ
Indeed, whoever recites this Śiva Purāṇa day and night—the gods, led by Indra, wait upon his command.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī’s Viśvanātha is celebrated as the Lord of the universe who grants sovereignty of dharma and ultimately mokṣa; the verse’s claim that devas await the reciter’s command reflects the Purāṇic motif that devotion to Śiva surpasses even deva-status.
Significance: Continuous recitation (aharniśam) is portrayed as conferring spiritual authority and protection; in Kāśī-tradition, śravaṇa/pāṭha is a direct means to Viśveśvara’s favor.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It proclaims the extraordinary śakti of Śiva-kathā: sustained recitation aligns the devotee with Śiva’s grace so deeply that even celestial powers become supportive, indicating spiritual authority born of devotion and purity.
In the Vidyeśvara Saṁhitā, devotion is stabilized through Saguna upāsanā—hearing and reciting Śiva’s glories alongside Linga-oriented worship—so the devotee’s life becomes centered on Śiva as Pati, the supreme Lord who grants protection and upliftment.
Regular pāṭha/parāyaṇa (daily recitation) and kīrtana of the Śiva Purāṇa is implied; it can be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a steady day-and-night sādhana.