Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 31
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
इत्युक्तश्च मुनीशैस्तैस्सर्वलोकपितामहः । मुनीशांस्तांस्तदा ब्रह्मा स्वयं प्रोवाच वै तदा
ityuktaśca munīśaistaissarvalokapitāmahaḥ | munīśāṃstāṃstadā brahmā svayaṃ provāca vai tadā
Được các đại hiền triết ấy thưa như vậy, Brahmā—đấng Tổ phụ của muôn cõi—liền đích thân nói với chính các hiền triết ấy.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it frames Brahmā (sarvaloka-pitāmaha) as the cosmic administrator who now gives practical guidance for Śiva-related stabilization.
Significance: Reinforces the legitimacy of the forthcoming rite by placing it in Brahmā’s mouth—an authorization motif often used to ground temple practice and communal observance.
FAQs
It highlights the proper Shaiva scriptural method: sincere inquiry by realized sages and an authoritative response by a cosmic teacher (Brahmā), preparing the ground for dharma and Shiva-bhakti teachings that lead the seeker toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.
In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, the sages’ questioning and Brahmā’s direct reply typically introduce Jyotirlinga-kathā—where Shiva is approached as Saguna through the Linga, a compassionate, accessible form through which devotees receive merit, purification, and Shiva’s blessing.
The verse implies śravaṇa (devotional listening) and praśna (reverent inquiry) as core practices; in a Jyotirlinga context, this naturally supports Linga-pūjā with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and disciplined devotion.