Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
देवस्तुतिः (Deva-stuti) — “Hymn of the Devas / Divine Praise”
नारद उवाच । विधे प्राज्ञ महाधीमन्वद मे वदतां वर । ततः परं किमभवच्चरितं विष्णुसद्गुरो
nārada uvāca | vidhe prājña mahādhīmanvada me vadatāṃ vara | tataḥ paraṃ kimabhavaccaritaṃ viṣṇusadguro
ਨਾਰਦ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਹੇ ਵਿਧਾਤਾ! ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਜ্ঞ, ਮਹਾਧੀਮਾਨ, ਬੋਲਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਸ਼ਠ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੱਸੋ—ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੂ ਸਦਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੱਚੀ ਰਹਿਨੁਮਾਈ ਹੇਠ ਉਸ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਚਰਿਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਅੱਗੇ ਕੀ ਹੋਇਆ?
Nārada
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights śravaṇa (devout listening) and humble inquiry as a primary doorway to grace—Nārada seeks the next stage of the sacred narrative from Brahmā, showing that right knowledge arises through proper transmission in the Shaiva tradition.
Though the verse is a question rather than a ritual instruction, it frames the Purāṇic method: hearing the Lord’s līlā and teachings prepares the mind for Saguna worship (including Liṅga-upāsanā) and gradually matures devotion toward the highest understanding of Śiva.
The implied practice is attentive listening and recitation of sacred narration (śravaṇa–kīrtana) in a guru-guided setting, which complements mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī) and daily Śiva-smaraṇa.