Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 66
पुष्पार्पण-विनिर्णयः
Determination of Flower-Offerings to Śiva
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि धारापूजाफलं महत् । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण कल्याणं जायते नृणाम्
ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi dhārāpūjāphalaṃ mahat | yasya śravaṇamātreṇa kalyāṇaṃ jāyate nṛṇām
اب میں دھارا پوجا کا عظیم پھل بیان کرتا ہوں۔ جس کے محض سن لینے سے ہی انسانوں میں کلیان پیدا ہوتا ہے۔
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific māhātmya here; the verse functions as a general phalaśruti for dhārā-pūjā/abhiṣeka, asserting śravaṇa-māhātmya (benefit even by hearing).
Significance: Frames abhiṣeka as a universally accessible means to accrue kalyāṇa (auspicious welfare) through bhakti and śravaṇa—typical Purāṇic upāya for householders and pilgrims alike.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse announces the mahātmyā (greatness) of dhārā-pūjā and teaches that even śravaṇa (devotional hearing) of Śiva’s worship-bearing teachings generates kalyāṇa—inner auspiciousness that supports dharma and liberation-oriented life in a Śaiva Siddhānta spirit.
Dhārā-pūjā is a Saguna mode of devotion centered on the Śiva-liṅga, where continuous pouring (abhiṣeka) becomes a tangible expression of bhakti; the verse frames its ‘fruit’ as so potent that hearing about it itself is spiritually beneficial.
It points toward dhārā-abhiṣeka (continuous libation) to the Śiva-liṅga—typically with water, milk, or other sanctified offerings—performed with mantra-japa (often the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a devotional listening/recitation practice (śravaṇa-kīrtana).