Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
गाणपत्यदानकथा
Bāṇāsura Receives Gaṇapatya; Genealogical Prelude
स कदाचिद्बाणपुरे चक्रे देवासुरैस्सह । नदीतीरे हरः क्रीडां रम्ये शोणितकाह्वये
sa kadācidbāṇapure cakre devāsuraissaha | nadītīre haraḥ krīḍāṃ ramye śoṇitakāhvaye
ஒருமுறை பாணபுரியில் ஹரன் (பகவான் சிவன்) தேவர்கள் மற்றும் அசுரர்களுடன், ‘சோணித’ எனப்படும் அழகிய நதிக்கரையில் தெய்வீகக் களியாட்டம் செய்தான்.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the scene is set in Bāṇapura where Śiva manifests līlā on the Śoṇita riverbank amid devas and asuras, foreshadowing the pacification/overruling of cosmic factions in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative.
Significance: Darśana of Hara’s līlā is framed as mind-purifying and conflict-transcending: it softens dualities (deva/asura) and turns the gaze toward Śiva as the single Pati beyond factions.
FAQs
It shows Śiva as Hara—Lord of grace—whose līlā unfolds even amid conflict narratives; His presence harmonizes opposites (devas and asuras) and turns worldly events into a field for devotion and inner purification.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—personally present, accessible, and playful—encouraging devotees to approach Him through concrete remembrance (kathā and līlā-smaraṇa) and, by extension, through Liṅga worship as His merciful manifest form.
Practice līlā-smaraṇa with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and offer water (jala) in devotion, contemplating Śiva on the riverbank as the inner Lord who dissolves impurities (mala) and grants steadiness.