Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
शङ्खचूडवधकथनम् / The Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Slaying
सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथान्यच्छंभुचरितं प्रेमतः शृणु वै मुने । यस्य श्रवणमात्रेण शिवभक्तिर्दृढा भवेत्
sanatkumāra uvāca | athānyacchaṃbhucaritaṃ premataḥ śṛṇu vai mune | yasya śravaṇamātreṇa śivabhaktirdṛḍhā bhavet
Sanatkumāra nói: “Nay này, hỡi bậc hiền triết, hãy lắng nghe với lòng mến kính một thánh tích khác về Śambhu (Đức Śiva). Chỉ cần nghe thôi, lòng sùng kính Śiva liền trở nên vững bền, không lay chuyển.”
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Introductory invitation to śravaṇa of Śambhu-carita; functions as kathā-māhātmya rather than a particular kṣetra legend.
Significance: Positions loving listening (premataḥ śṛṇu) as a direct means to dṛḍha-śivabhakti—an inner pilgrimage culminating in grace.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that śravaṇa (devout listening to Shiva-kathā) is itself a powerful sādhana: even hearing the Lord’s līlā and greatness stabilizes the mind in steadfast Shiva-bhakti, preparing the seeker for grace (anugraha).
By praising “Śambhu-carita,” the verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching Shiva through His narrated deeds and compassionate manifestations—which naturally matures into reverence for the Śiva-liṅga as the accessible, worshipful presence of Pati.
Regular śravaṇa of Shiva Purana/Śiva-kathā with premā (loving intent), ideally paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to make devotion steady and continuous.