Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 64
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
सनत्कुमार उवाच । श्रुत्वेति स वचस्तस्य शंकरो भक्तवत्सलः । तथेत्युवाच सुप्रीतो महिषासुरजं च तम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | śrutveti sa vacastasya śaṃkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ | tathetyuvāca suprīto mahiṣāsurajaṃ ca tam
ସନତ୍କୁମାର କହିଲେ—ତାହାର କଥା ଶୁଣି ଭକ୍ତବତ୍ସଳ ଶଙ୍କର ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ହୋଇ “ତଥାସ୍ତୁ” କହିଲେ; ଏବଂ ମହିଷାସୁର-ବଂଶଜ ସେହି ଜନକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଗ୍ରହଣ କଲେ।
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s immediate assent (‘tathā’) to the boon establishes the narrative hinge: divine grace overrides birth/lineage, even for one ‘born of Mahiṣāsura’s line,’ preparing the ground for later sanctification of place/object (liṅga).
Significance: Assurance that bhakti, not jāti/lineage, is decisive for Śiva’s favor; pilgrims internalize the ‘bhaktavatsala’ principle.
Mantra: तथेत्युवाच
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s defining trait as bhaktavatsala—His grace responds to sincere approach, showing that divine compassion can uplift even those from feared or fallen lineages when devotion becomes the turning point.
The verse portrays Saguna Śiva (Śaṅkara) as personally accessible and responsive—an essential basis for Liṅga worship, where the devotee approaches the living presence of Śiva and receives anugraha through faith and surrender.
The takeaway is bhakti-filled surrender: worship Śiva with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple offerings (bhasma/tripuṇḍra, rudrākṣa, or water to the Liṅga), cultivating humility and trust in Śiva’s compassionate assent.