Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 54
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य सामरस्य हरेर्गुणाः । प्रोचुः प्रीत्या गणास्ते हि शंकरस्य रमापतिम्
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya sāmarasya harerguṇāḥ | procuḥ prītyā gaṇāste hi śaṃkarasya ramāpatim
พระพรหมตรัสว่า ครั้นได้สดับถ้อยคำของพระหริผู้เปี่ยมด้วยความกลมกลืนแล้ว เหล่าคณะคณาผู้ภักดีต่อพระศังกรและผู้สรรเสริญคุณแห่งพระหริ ก็กล่าวด้วยความยินดีและความรักต่อพระรามาปติ (พระวิษณุ)
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Lakṣmī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights concord (sāmarasya) between devotees of Śiva and the virtues of Hari, showing that true bhakti is free from sectarian hostility and is rooted in reverence for the Supreme as manifested through divine forms.
The gaṇas are explicitly Śaṅkara’s attendants, indicating Saguna Śiva’s personal sphere; their affectionate address reflects how devotion to the personal Lord (including Linga worship in the Purāṇa’s wider context) naturally cultivates humility and harmony with other divine manifestations.
The practical takeaway is bhakti expressed through respectful speech and remembrance of divine guṇas—supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and daily worship conducted in a spirit of non-hostility and reverence.