Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 66
पुष्पार्पण-विनिर्णयः
Determination of Flower-Offerings to Śiva
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि धारापूजाफलं महत् । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण कल्याणं जायते नृणाम्
ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi dhārāpūjāphalaṃ mahat | yasya śravaṇamātreṇa kalyāṇaṃ jāyate nṛṇām
À présent, je vais proclamer le grand fruit de la dhārā-pūjā, l’adoration de Śiva par une effusion sacrée et continue. Rien qu’en l’entendant, l’auspice naît dans le cœur des hommes.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific māhātmya here; the verse functions as a general phalaśruti for dhārā-pūjā/abhiṣeka, asserting śravaṇa-māhātmya (benefit even by hearing).
Significance: Frames abhiṣeka as a universally accessible means to accrue kalyāṇa (auspicious welfare) through bhakti and śravaṇa—typical Purāṇic upāya for householders and pilgrims alike.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse announces the mahātmyā (greatness) of dhārā-pūjā and teaches that even śravaṇa (devotional hearing) of Śiva’s worship-bearing teachings generates kalyāṇa—inner auspiciousness that supports dharma and liberation-oriented life in a Śaiva Siddhānta spirit.
Dhārā-pūjā is a Saguna mode of devotion centered on the Śiva-liṅga, where continuous pouring (abhiṣeka) becomes a tangible expression of bhakti; the verse frames its ‘fruit’ as so potent that hearing about it itself is spiritually beneficial.
It points toward dhārā-abhiṣeka (continuous libation) to the Śiva-liṅga—typically with water, milk, or other sanctified offerings—performed with mantra-japa (often the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a devotional listening/recitation practice (śravaṇa-kīrtana).