Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
देवीयोगनिद्रास्तुतिḥ तथा चण्डिकायाः प्रादुर्भावः | Hymn to Devī Yogānidrā and the Manifestation of Caṇḍikā
नारद उवाच । ब्रह्मन् तात महाप्राज्ञ वद नो वदतां वर । गते विष्णौ किमभवदकार्षीत्किं विधे भवान्
nārada uvāca | brahman tāta mahāprājña vada no vadatāṃ vara | gate viṣṇau kimabhavadakārṣītkiṃ vidhe bhavān
Dijo Nārada: «Oh Brahmā, padre venerable, oh sapientísimo—el mejor de los oradores—dinos: cuando Viṣṇu se hubo marchado, ¿qué sucedió entonces? Y después, ¿qué hiciste tú, oh Vidhātṛ, el Creador?»
Nārada
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
This verse models the Purāṇic method of inquiry: a sincere seeker (Nārada) asks the creator (Brahmā) to disclose what unfolded next, preparing the listener to recognize Shiva’s governance (Pati) behind cosmic events.
Though the verse is a narrative question, it sets up the ensuing account where cosmic authorities act within Shiva’s overarching order—supporting Saguna Shiva devotion and, in the broader Rudra Saṃhitā context, the legitimacy of Shiva’s worship (including the Liṅga).
The implied practice is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and manana (reflection) on Shiva Purana teachings; as a takeaway, one may accompany such study with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to internalize the teaching.