Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
वसन्तस्वरूपवर्णनम् — Description of the Form/Nature of Vasant
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श्राविता सुकथा दिव्या शिवभक्तिविवर्द्धिनी । अरुंधत्यास्तथा तस्याः स्वरूपायाः परे भवे
śrāvitā sukathā divyā śivabhaktivivarddhinī | aruṃdhatyāstathā tasyāḥ svarūpāyāḥ pare bhave
かくして、シヴァへの信愛を増し育てる、神聖にして吉祥なる妙なる物語が彼女に誦され聞かせられた。さらに後の生においても、あのスヴァルーパーそのものの再現であるアルンダティーが、同じくこれを聴聞した。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Highlights the trans-birth efficacy of Śiva-kathā: devotion (bhakti) accrued through hearing persists across rebirth, guiding the soul toward Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It teaches that śravaṇa (devout hearing) of Śiva-kathā is itself a grace-bearing practice that strengthens śiva-bhakti and can bear fruit across successive births, guiding the soul toward purification and liberation.
The verse highlights devotion nurtured through sacred narration—one of the primary Shaiva modes of approaching Saguna Śiva (Śiva with attributes), which naturally supports Linga-worship by deepening reverence, faith, and continuity of practice over time.
Regular śravaṇa and pāṭha of Śiva Purāṇa kathā (listening/recitation) with bhakti is implied; as a practical takeaway, one may pair it with daily remembrance of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to stabilize devotion.