Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः
Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi
सूत उवाच । साधु पृष्टं भवद्भिश्च तद्रहस्यं मुनीश्वराः । तदहं कथयाम्यद्य यथाबुद्धि यथाश्रुतम्
sūta uvāca | sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ bhavadbhiśca tadrahasyaṃ munīśvarāḥ | tadahaṃ kathayāmyadya yathābuddhi yathāśrutam
สูตะกล่าวว่า: “โอ้เหล่ามุนีผู้เป็นใหญ่ ท่านทั้งหลายถามได้ดีถึงความลับอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์นั้น เพราะฉะนั้นวันนี้เราจักเล่าตามปัญญาและตามที่ได้สดับมาโดยตรง”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a site narrative; Sūta’s pledge ‘yathāśrutam’ highlights faithful transmission, a hallmark of Purāṇic kathā as a vehicle for dharma and devotion.
Significance: Positions listening (śravaṇa) to Śiva-kathā and learning arcana-vidhi as a pilgrimage-in-itself: access to rahasya that leads to Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It establishes the sanctity of Shiva-kathā as a “rahasya” (sacred esoteric teaching) and affirms that true transmission is grounded in humility, faithful hearing, and accurate narration—supporting the Shaiva path of śravaṇa (listening) leading toward grace and liberation.
Before describing forms and practices (such as Linga worship), the Purana emphasizes reliable tradition: Sūta will speak “as heard.” This frames Saguna Shiva teachings—rituals, stories, and devotional methods—as authoritative when received through proper lineage and attentive listening.
Śravaṇa and manana: listening to Shiva Purana recitation with focused attention and then reflecting on it. As a practical takeaway, one may pair this with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) after hearing the teaching.