Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं च शंभोः संभोगकर्म तत् । पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे च गत्वा तत्र सुरेश्वराः
divyaṃ varṣasahasraṃ ca śaṃbhoḥ saṃbhogakarma tat | pūrṇe varṣasahasre ca gatvā tatra sureśvarāḥ
L’union divine de Śambhu se prolongea durant mille années célestes. Quand ces mille ans furent accomplis, les seigneurs des devas se rendirent en ce lieu pour s’approcher de Lui.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya within the Rudrasaṃhitā narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Cosmic birth-narrative frame for Skanda: the prolonged divine union of Śiva and Śakti becomes the prelude to a world-protecting manifestation.
Significance: Highlights the sanctity of Śiva-Śakti līlā as the source of divine progeny and protection; encourages reverence for Śiva-Parvatī temples and Skanda-kṣetras.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: creative
Offering: dhupa
Cosmic Event: divine time-scale: thousand celestial years (deva-varṣa) marking mythic duration
FAQs
It portrays Śiva as both transcendent (Pati beyond time) and immanent (Saguna, participating in divine līlā), showing that even cosmic time and the gods’ governance unfold under His sovereign rhythm.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—personally present and accessible—whom the devas can approach; in Linga worship, devotees similarly approach Śiva as the manifest Lord who receives prayer and restores dharma.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a disciplined sense of sacred time (niyama), approaching Śiva with reverence as the devas do—optionally supported by bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa.