Shloka 4
शिवपुराण-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Śiva Purāṇa) / Śivapurāṇa Māhātmya
तस्याध्ययनमात्रेण पुराणस्य द्विजोत्तमाः । सर्वोत्तमस्य शैवस्य ते यास्यंति सुसद्गतिम्
tasyādhyayanamātreṇa purāṇasya dvijottamāḥ | sarvottamasya śaivasya te yāsyaṃti susadgatim
O best of the twice-born, merely by studying that Purāṇa—the supremely excellent Śaiva scripture—they will attain the most auspicious and noble state of liberation.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Frames śāstra-adhyayana as a direct means to ‘susadgati’ (auspicious liberation), paralleling tīrtha-yātrā’s promise but emphasizing inner transformation through knowledge and devotion.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It declares the intrinsic liberating power of Śiva-centered revelation: even simple study of the supreme Śaiva Purāṇa purifies the seeker and leads toward the highest auspicious goal—release under Śiva’s grace.
In the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā, scripture-study is presented as an entry into right understanding of Saguna Śiva worship—especially Linga devotion—so that practice is grounded in correct knowledge and culminates in Śiva’s highest state.
The direct practice implied is adhyayana/śravaṇa—regular reading or recitation of the Śiva Purāṇa with devotion; it may be paired with Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) and basic Śaiva observances like mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī) where taught.