Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 34
गौतमस्य शिवदर्शनं पापक्षयवचनं च | Gautama’s Vision of Śiva and the Teaching on Sin and Purification
शिव उवाच । धन्यासि श्रूयतां गंगे ह्यहं भिन्नस्त्वया न हि । तथापि स्थीयते ह्यत्र स्थीयतां च त्वयापि हि
śiva uvāca | dhanyāsi śrūyatāṃ gaṃge hyahaṃ bhinnastvayā na hi | tathāpi sthīyate hyatra sthīyatāṃ ca tvayāpi hi
شیو نے فرمایا—اے گنگا، تو دھنیہ ہے، سن؛ میں حقیقت میں تجھ سے جدا نہیں۔ پھر بھی اس مقدس ظہور کے لیے میں یہاں قائم رہوں گا؛ اس لیے تو بھی یہاں قائم رہ۔
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva addresses Gaṅgā, affirming non-difference while still choosing to ‘remain established’ for the world’s benefit—mirroring Kāśī’s doctrine of perpetual divine presence (Avimukta) and the river’s sanctifying residence.
Significance: Frames Kāśī-Gaṅgā as a stable salvific field: Śiva’s abiding presence and Gaṅgā’s abiding flow together sustain purification and liberation for pilgrims.
Shakti Form: Tārā
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches Śiva’s non-difference (abheda) from the sacred Gaṅgā while affirming a purposeful, grace-filled manifestation “here” for devotees—so the tirtha becomes a stable support for purification, bhakti, and liberation.
Though Śiva is ultimately beyond division, He accepts a localized, accessible presence for worship. This supports Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through established holy seats (linga/tirtha) where His grace is especially available.
It implies tirtha-sevā: reverent bathing in Gaṅgā, worship of Śiva in that place with mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and steady remembrance of Śiva’s indwelling presence.