Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 10
Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)
सूत उवाच । ततो वाणी समुत्पन्ना गंगाया व्योममंडलात् । तच्छृणुध्वमृषिश्रेष्ठा गंगावचनमुत्तमम्
sūta uvāca | tato vāṇī samutpannā gaṃgāyā vyomamaṃḍalāt | tacchṛṇudhvamṛṣiśreṣṭhā gaṃgāvacanamuttamam
Sūta nói: Sau đó, từ sông Hằng trong vòng trời, một giọng nói vang lên. Hỡi những bậc hiền triết cao quý nhất, hãy lắng nghe lời dạy tuyệt vời đó của sông Hằng.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Sthala Purana: Gaṅgā’s disembodied voice arises from the ‘vyoma-maṇḍala’ (sky-sphere), a hierophany marking the tīrtha as a liminal meeting-point of earthly and divine realms.
Significance: Hearing (śravaṇa) of tīrtha-māhātmya and divine utterance is itself meritorious; the verse frames Gaṅgā’s forthcoming instruction/boon as authoritative revelation.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It sanctifies śravaṇa (devout listening) as a means of grace: the narrative signals that Gaṅgā’s words are divinely sourced and worthy of attentive reception, preparing the mind for Shiva-tattva and pilgrimage-related merit.
In the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā, such announcements typically introduce teachings connected to Jyotirliṅga glory and tīrtha-mahātmyas—supporting Saguna Shiva worship through reverent hearing of the Lord’s manifested signs and sacred geographies.
Practice attentive śravaṇa and manana (listening and reflective contemplation) of Shiva Purana recitation; as a simple complement, mentally repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while listening.