Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 15
Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)
कथ्यते हि त्वया सत्यं गौतमर्षे शिवं वचः । तथापि संग्रहार्थ च प्रायश्चितं चरंतु वै
kathyate hi tvayā satyaṃ gautamarṣe śivaṃ vacaḥ | tathāpi saṃgrahārtha ca prāyaścitaṃ caraṃtu vai
Hỡi hiền thánh Gautama, lời ngài nói quả thật chân thật và hòa hợp với thánh ngôn của Śiva. Tuy vậy, để giữ trật tự và làm khuôn phép chỉ dẫn, xin họ nhất định thực hành pháp sám hối (prāyaścitta) đã được quy định.
Lord Shiva (inferred, as Śiva’s directive/authority is being affirmed within Koṭirudrasaṃhitā’s Jyotirliṅga-dharma narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The divine instruction validates Gautama’s alignment with Śiva’s teaching yet mandates prāyaścitta ‘for saṅgraha’—to preserve loka-saṅgraha (social-ritual order) and establish a precedent within tīrtha/śiva-dharma.
Significance: Highlights a Śaiva principle: even when inner truth is known, prescribed expiation may be observed to restore communal purity and invite Śiva’s grace.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that even when one’s understanding is correct, Śaiva dharma emphasizes disciplined purification—prāyaścitta—as a means to restore inner clarity (śuddhi) and uphold an exemplary standard for society.
By affirming “Śiva’s word” and insisting on expiation, the verse frames Saguna Śiva (worshiped as Liṅga/Jyotirliṅga) as the living authority of dharma—devotion is not only praise, but also ethical correction and ritual purity offered to Śiva.
The takeaway is prāyaścitta performed in a Śiva-centered way—confession, corrective vows, and renewed worship (japa of the Pañcākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’, along with purity observances such as bhasma/Rudrākṣa where traditional).