Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
कैलासमार्गे शङ्करस्य परीक्षा — Śiva Tests the Approachers on the Kailāsa Path
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य गुरोर्वाक्यं देवदेवो महेश्वरः । उवाच करुणासिन्धुर्मेघनिर्ह्रादया गिरा
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityākarṇya gurorvākyaṃ devadevo maheśvaraḥ | uvāca karuṇāsindhurmeghanirhrādayā girā
Sanatkumāra dijo: Al oír así las palabras de su guru, Mahādeva—Dios de los dioses, Maheśvara—océano de compasión, habló con una voz que retumbaba como el bramido de las nubes.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva as both supreme (Devadeva, Maheśvara) and supremely compassionate (karuṇāsindhu), showing that divine authority in Shaiva thought is inseparable from grace that guides devotees toward liberation.
By portraying Shiva speaking with tangible, awe-inspiring qualities (a cloud-rumbling voice), the text emphasizes Saguna Shiva—worshipped through the Linga and devotional practices—while implying that this accessible form is the channel of grace from the Supreme.
The takeaway is attentive śravaṇa (devout listening) to the guru and to Shiva’s teaching; in practice this pairs well with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and steady bhakti-centered meditation on Mahādeva’s compassionate presence.