Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
तारकस्य कथं ब्रह्मन् वधोऽभूद्देवशंकरः । एतत्सर्वमशेषेण वद कृत्वा दयां मयि
tārakasya kathaṃ brahman vadho'bhūddevaśaṃkaraḥ | etatsarvamaśeṣeṇa vada kṛtvā dayāṃ mayi
Wahai Brahman yang dimuliakan, bagaimanakah pembunuhan Tāraka terjadi melalui rahmat dan perantaraan Tuhan Śaṅkara? Ceritakanlah semuanya dengan lengkap, dengan belas kasihan kepadaku.
A disciple/inquirer addressing Brahma or a Brahmanical narrator (contextual interlocutor in Kumārakhaṇḍa’s opening inquiry)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it anticipates the Tārakāsura-vadha, a dharmic ‘samhāra’ enacted through Śiva’s agency (often via Skanda).
Significance: Hearing the demon-slaying kathā is framed as purifying and dharma-restoring; inspires courage and surrender to Śiva’s protective power.
FAQs
It models the Shaiva attitude of humble inquiry: the seeker requests the full sacred account, recognizing that Shiva’s compassionate will (anugraha) is the hidden power behind the defeat of adharma.
By addressing Shiva as Deva Śaṅkara, the verse points to Saguna Shiva—accessible through devotion—whose grace operates in the world; such remembrance supports Linga-worship as a living connection to Shiva’s benevolent action.
Adopt śravaṇa (devotional listening) with humility and compassion-seeking; accompany it with japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to internalize Shiva’s anugraha while hearing his puranic deeds.