Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
मुनिप्रश्नवर्णनम्
Description of the Sages’ Questions
ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत सूत महाभाग शैवोत्तम महामते । श्रुत्वा तव वचो रम्यं चेतो नस्सकुतूहलम्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | sūta sūta mahābhāga śaivottama mahāmate | śrutvā tava vaco ramyaṃ ceto nassakutūhalam
ഋഷികൾ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ സൂതാ, ഹേ സൂതാ! മഹാഭാഗ്യവാനേ, ശൈവന്മാരിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠനേ, മഹാമതേ! നിന്റെ രമ്യമായ വചനങ്ങൾ കേട്ടപ്പോൾ ഞങ്ങളുടെ ഹൃദയം കൂടുതൽ അറിയാനുള്ള കൗതുകത്തോടെ നിറഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നു।
The sages (ṛṣis) of Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Hearing and questioning Śiva-kathā in satsanga is presented as a means toward purification and receptivity to Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
FAQs
It highlights śravaṇa (sacred listening) as a doorway to devotion: the sages’ minds become intensely inquisitive after hearing Shaiva teaching, showing that genuine spiritual progress begins with receptive hearing and longing for deeper truth about Pati (Śiva).
By praising Suta as “śaivottama,” the verse frames the coming narration as authoritative for Saguna worship—where devotees approach Śiva through accessible forms such as the Liṅga, names, and stories—arousing devotion and inquiry that mature into steadiness in worship.
The implied practice is śravaṇa and satsanga—listening attentively to Shaiva Purana recitation; a practical takeaway is to hear or recite Shiva-kathā and follow it with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to deepen the awakened curiosity into devotion.