Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 61
हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्
The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms
एवं श्रुत्वा महादेवो मद्वचः करुणानिधिः । प्रहस्योवाच मां सद्यः प्रहस्य मुनिसत्तम
evaṃ śrutvā mahādevo madvacaḥ karuṇānidhiḥ | prahasyovāca māṃ sadyaḥ prahasya munisattama
Ayant ainsi entendu mes paroles, Mahādeva—océan de compassion—sourit et, souriant, me parla aussitôt, ô meilleur des sages.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: turning point toward grace: the Lord’s compassionate response precedes teaching/decision
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s defining quality as karuṇā (compassion): when a seeker’s words are heard, the Lord responds not with harshness but with grace, indicating the approachable Saguna aspect of Pati who guides souls toward liberation.
The verse depicts the personal, responsive Lord (Saguna Śiva) who communicates and blesses devotees—this is the same accessible divinity worshipped in the Śiva-liṅga, where devotion invites a living relationship with Mahādeva.
A practical takeaway is sincere prayer and japa with humility—especially Panchākṣarī mantra recitation ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—trusting that compassionate Śiva quickly turns toward the devotee and gives instruction.