Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
कार्तिकेयलीलावर्णनम्
Narration of Kārttikeya’s Divine Play
इत्थं लीला कृता तेन कथिता सा मया मुने । तल्लीलामपरां तात शृणु प्रीत्या वदाम्यहम्
itthaṃ līlā kṛtā tena kathitā sā mayā mune | tallīlāmaparāṃ tāta śṛṇu prītyā vadāmyaham
“Như thế, hỡi bậc hiền triết, ta đã thuật lại trò chơi thần diệu (līlā) do Ngài thực hiện. Nay, người thân yêu, hãy vui lòng lắng nghe; ta sẽ kể bằng tất cả trìu mến một līlā khác của Ngài.”
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It highlights śravaṇa (devotional listening) to Śiva’s līlā as a direct means of cultivating bhakti and inner purity—preparing the soul (paśu) to turn toward Pati (Śiva) in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.
By presenting Śiva’s līlā as something to be joyfully heard and contemplated, the verse supports Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Śiva through narratable forms, deeds, and grace—often paired in practice with Liṅga worship and remembrance.
Śravaṇa and smaraṇa: regularly hearing/reciting Shiva Purana kathā with devotion, then meditating on Śiva’s qualities; it can be complemented with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a focused daily discipline.