Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
मुनिप्रश्नवर्णनम्
Description of the Sages’ Questions
भवद्भिः पृच्छ्यते यद्वत्तत्तथा नारदेन वै । पृष्टं पित्रे प्रेरितेन हरिणा शिवरूपिणा
bhavadbhiḥ pṛcchyate yadvattattathā nāradena vai | pṛṣṭaṃ pitre preritena hariṇā śivarūpiṇā
നിങ്ങൾ ഇപ്പോൾ എങ്ങനെ ചോദിക്കുന്നുവോ, അതുപോലെ നാരദനും തീർച്ചയായും ചോദിച്ചിരുന്നു—പിതാവിന്റെ പ്രേരണയാൽ—ശിവരൂപം ധരിച്ച ഹരിയോടു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It establishes an authentic lineage of inquiry: the sages’ questions mirror Nārada’s earlier questioning, showing that sincere doubt and reverent inquiry are a sanctioned path to receiving Śiva-tattva (the truth of Śiva).
By stating that Hari assumed a Śiva-form, the verse underscores Saguna revelation—Śiva’s approachable manifestation—supporting devotional worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) as a valid means to know the Supreme.
The takeaway is śravaṇa and praśna (listening and sacred inquiry) in a devotional mood; in practice, this pairs naturally with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while contemplating the non-dual harmony of Hari and Hara.