Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 54
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य महेशस्य वचः पीयूषसंनिभम् । ते सर्वे प्रमुदा ह्यासन्नष्टं मत्वा च दानवम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityākarṇya maheśasya vacaḥ pīyūṣasaṃnibham | te sarve pramudā hyāsannaṣṭaṃ matvā ca dānavam
സനത്കുമാരൻ പറഞ്ഞു—മഹേശ്വരന്റെ അമൃതസമാനമായ വചനങ്ങൾ കേട്ടപ്പോൾ അവർ എല്ലാവരും അത്യന്തം ആനന്ദിച്ചു; ദാനവൻ നശിച്ചുവെന്ന് കരുതി।
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights śravaṇa-phala: hearing Maheśa’s ‘nectar-like’ words yields immediate uplift and confidence—an archetype for kathā-śravaṇa at kṣetras and temples.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta mood of śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): Śiva’s compassionate words, compared to nectar, dissolve fear and restore inner certainty that adharma will be removed by the Lord’s grace.
Maheśa’s “nectar-like” speech reflects Saguna Śiva’s accessible, personal guidance—just as the Liṅga is the worshipful presence through which devotees receive assurance, protection, and the Lord’s active governance of the world.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Śiva’s protective vow, cultivating fearlessness and devotion during adversity.