Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 1
रुद्राक्ष-माहात्म्य
Rudrākṣa Māhātmya — The Greatness of Rudraksha
सूत उवाच । शौनकर्षे महाप्राज्ञ शिवरूपमहापते । शृणु रुद्रा क्षमाहात्म्यं समासात्कथयाम्यहम्
sūta uvāca | śaunakarṣe mahāprājña śivarūpamahāpate | śṛṇu rudrā kṣamāhātmyaṃ samāsātkathayāmyaham
सूत बोले—हे शौनक-वंशज महाप्राज्ञ! हे शिवस्वरूप महापति! सुनो; मैं रुद्र-परम्परा में प्रतिपादित क्षमा के माहात्म्य को संक्षेप में कहता हूँ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
This verse introduces kṣamā (forbearance/forgiveness) as a Shiva-like virtue that purifies the devotee’s mind, supports dharma, and prepares one for Shiva’s grace—central to liberation-oriented Shaiva practice.
By calling the listener “śivarūpa,” the text links inner transformation with outer worship: Linga/Saguna Shiva devotion is meant to cultivate Shiva’s qualities—especially calmness and forgiveness—so worship becomes a means of inner purification.
The immediate practice implied is śravaṇa (reverent listening) and cultivating kṣamā as a daily vrata; in Shaiva discipline this pairs naturally with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and a sattvic restraint that reduces anger and karmic bondage.