Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 55
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
हरिर्जगाम वैकुंठं सत्यलोके विधिस्तदा । प्रणिपत्य महेशं च सुराद्याः स्वपदं ययुः
harirjagāma vaikuṃṭhaṃ satyaloke vidhistadā | praṇipatya maheśaṃ ca surādyāḥ svapadaṃ yayuḥ
Hari (Viṣṇu) se rendit à Vaikuṇṭha, puis Vidhī (Brahmā) retourna à Satyaloka. Après s’être prosternés devant Maheśa (Śiva), les dieux et les autres regagnèrent chacun leur demeure.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a narrative closure where devas return to their realms after receiving Maheśa’s audience/assurance.
Significance: Establishes Śiva as the final refuge (śaraṇya) even for devas; the fruit implied is śiva-prasāda leading to restoration of cosmic order and safe return to one’s proper station (svadharma/svapada).
FAQs
It highlights that even the highest cosmic powers—Viṣṇu, Brahmā, and the devas—complete their roles by bowing to Maheśa, affirming Śiva as the supreme refuge (Pati) and the source of order after conflict.
The act of praṇāma to Maheśa reflects Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva as the personal Lord worthy of surrender—mirroring how devotees honor the Śiva-liṅga as the accessible form of the transcendent Pati.
A simple takeaway is daily praṇāma to Śiva with remembrance of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), cultivating humility and devotion before concluding one’s duties and returning to one’s rightful dharma.