Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
प्रयागे महत्समाजः — शिवदर्शनं दक्षागमनं च
The Great Assembly at Prayāga: Śiva’s Appearance and Dakṣa’s Arrival
यस्य स्मरणमात्रेण भवंति सफला मखाः । तीर्थानि च पवित्राणि सोयं शप्तो हरः कथम्
yasya smaraṇamātreṇa bhavaṃti saphalā makhāḥ | tīrthāni ca pavitrāṇi soyaṃ śapto haraḥ katham
ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਕੇਵਲ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਯੱਗ ਫਲਦਾਇਕ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਤੀਰਥ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ—ਉਹੀ ਹਰ (ਸ਼ਿਵ) ਕਿਵੇਂ ਸ਼ਾਪਿਤ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ?
Suta Goswami (narrating the Satī-Khaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, reflecting the wonder expressed in the narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: General jyotirliṅga principle implied: Śiva’s mere smaraṇa sanctifies tīrthas and makes yajñas fruitful; holiness is derivative from Śiva, not autonomous in place or rite.
Significance: Teaches smaraṇa-bhakti: remembrance of Hara is itself purifying and the source of tīrtha-śuddhi and yajña-siddhi.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares Śiva as the supreme sanctifier: even a simple act of remembrance (smaraṇa) grants the fruit of sacrifice and purifies sacred places, implying that the Lord who bestows holiness cannot truly be bound by a curse.
It supports Saguna devotion—remembering Hara with form and qualities—as an immediately effective path; Linga-worship likewise centers on mindful remembrance and reverence that purifies the worshipper and the place of worship.
Practice nāma-smaraṇa and dhyāna of Śiva—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a direct, purifying discipline that can be done anywhere, independent of elaborate yajñas.