Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
सर्वेश्वरो महादेवो जगाम गिरिजालयम् । संस्थाप्य नोऽत्र सुप्रीत्या रानालीलाविशारदः
sarveśvaro mahādevo jagāma girijālayam | saṃsthāpya no'tra suprītyā rānālīlāviśāradaḥ
அனைத்திற்கும் ஈசனான மகாதேவன் கிரிஜையின் இல்லத்திற்குச் சென்றார். எங்களை இங்கே மிகுந்த அன்புடன் அமைத்துவிட்டு, தெய்வீக லீலையில் வல்லவரான அவர் புறப்பட்டார்।
Sūta Gosvāmī
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Śiva departs to Girijā’s abode (Kailāsa/Himālaya setting), leaving gaṇas stationed—an etiological note for the locale of the episode rather than a Jyotirliṅga origin.
Significance: Remembrance of Śiva’s līlā and devotion to Umā–Maheśvara; cultivating śiva-prīti and surrender.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Sarveśvara who compassionately “settles” devotees in a protected spiritual setting, showing that divine grace and līlā guide beings toward steadiness (sthiti) and devotion.
By portraying Mahādeva’s personal movement and affectionate care, it supports Saguna-upāsanā—worship of Śiva with form and qualities—through loving remembrance and service, which in Shaiva Siddhānta matures into knowledge of the Supreme.
Practice bhakti-filled smaraṇa (remembrance) of Mahādeva with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” ideally with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as Shaiva aids to steadiness and devotion.