Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
इति श्रुत्वा वचश्शंभुर्देवानां भक्तवत्सलः । उवाच विहसन् वाण्या मेघनादगभीरया
iti śrutvā vacaśśaṃbhurdevānāṃ bhaktavatsalaḥ | uvāca vihasan vāṇyā meghanādagabhīrayā
Al oír estas palabras, Śambhu—siempre afectuoso con sus devotos entre los dioses—habló con una suave sonrisa, con una voz profunda y resonante como el retumbar de las nubes de tormenta.
Lord Shiva (Śambhu)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Depicts Śiva as bhaktavatsala whose reassuring speech itself is grace; darśana/śravaṇa of such līlā is treated as purifying and fear-dispelling.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as bhakta-vatsala—the Lord whose grace naturally flows toward sincere devotees—showing that divine protection arises from devotion and surrender, not merely from power or status.
The verse portrays Saguna Śiva as personally responsive—smiling and speaking—affirming the Purāṇic principle that the worshipper can approach the Linga as the living presence of the compassionate Lord who hears prayers and answers them.
A practical takeaway is bhakti-yukta japa—repeating “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with trust in Śiva’s protective grace—supported by simple Shaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and calm, attentive listening (śravaṇa) to sacred narration.