Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
इति श्रीशिवमहापुराणे रुद्रसंहितायां कुमारखण्डे शिवविहारवर्णनं नाम प्रथमोऽध्यायः
iti śrīśivamahāpurāṇe rudrasaṃhitāyāṃ kumārakhaṇḍe śivavihāravarṇanaṃ nāma prathamo'dhyāyaḥ
इस प्रकार श्रीशिवमहापुराण की रुद्रसंहिता के कुमारखण्ड में ‘शिवविहार-वर्णन’ नामक प्रथम अध्याय आरम्भ होता है।
Sūta Gosvāmī (as the Purāṇic narrator addressing the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
FAQs
This is a colophon-style opening that establishes scriptural authority and frames the chapter as a sacred contemplation of Śiva’s divine realm and līlā, encouraging devotional remembrance (smaraṇa) as a means toward grace.
By announcing a chapter on Śiva’s vihāra (divine presence and play), it points to Saguna-Śiva—Śiva approachable through form, qualities, and sacred narratives—supporting Purāṇic worship that culminates in reverence for the Liṅga as His accessible manifestation.
A practical takeaway is śravaṇa and manana—listening to and reflecting on Śiva-kathā; as a meditative practice, one may recite the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Śiva’s abode and presence.