Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 11
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
मनसा च प्रियं तेषां कर्तुं वै वनवासिनाम् । जगाम तद्वनं प्रीत्या भक्तप्रीतो हरः स्वयम्
manasā ca priyaṃ teṣāṃ kartuṃ vai vanavāsinām | jagāma tadvanaṃ prītyā bhaktaprīto haraḥ svayam
他心中愿作令林中住者欢喜之事；哈罗（主湿婆）因怜爱信众而心生欢悦，亲自欣然前往那片森林。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it foregrounds bhakta-vātsalya: Śiva voluntarily approaches the forest-dwellers to transform them—grace initiated by the Lord rather than earned by ritual status.
Significance: Cultivates trust in Śiva’s anugraha: the Lord seeks the devotee, entering even ‘wild’ inner spaces (vana) to purify and instruct.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who is naturally drawn to sincere devotion: his grace responds to the inner intention of devotees, showing that bhakti invites divine presence even in ordinary places like a forest.
Śiva is portrayed as Saguna—approachable and responsive—who comes near his devotees. In Jyotirliṅga narratives, this same compassion culminates in Śiva manifesting for devotees as the Liṅga, making his presence accessible for worship.
The verse emphasizes manas (inner intention), suggesting mental worship (mānasa-pūjā) supported by bhakti—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a focused, pleasing intention toward Śiva.