Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7
शङ्खचूडवधकथनम् / The Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Slaying
प्रस्तुतं शृणु वृत्तांतं शंभुलीलान्वितं च यत् । तदेव कथयाम्यद्य शृणु भक्तिप्र वर्द्धनम्
prastutaṃ śṛṇu vṛttāṃtaṃ śaṃbhulīlānvitaṃ ca yat | tadeva kathayāmyadya śṛṇu bhaktipra varddhanam
Ouve o relato que agora se apresenta—um episódio repleto do līlā divino de Śambhu. Hoje narrarei essa mesma história; escuta, pois ela faz crescer a bhakti, a devoção.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Hearing (śravaṇa) of Śambhu-līlā is framed as bhakti-vardhana; in Purāṇic praxis this is a primary ‘pilgrimage of the ear’ leading toward Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that śravaṇa (devout listening) to Śiva’s līlā is itself a bhakti-sādhana: the narrative is not mere history but a sacred means that nourishes devotion toward Pati (Lord Shiva) and refines the seeker’s inner orientation.
By highlighting Śambhu’s līlā, the verse points to Saguna Shiva—Shiva approached through name, form, and divine deeds. Such hearing naturally supports Linga-worship by deepening reverence, remembrance, and loving attention toward Shiva as the accessible Lord.
The implied practice is attentive listening/recitation of Shiva Purana kathā (śravaṇa and kīrtana) with devotion; as a takeaway, one may pair it with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to make the hearing inwardly contemplative.