Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 4
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
सूत उवाच । कल्पभेदकथा चैव श्रुता व्यासान्मया द्विजाः । तामेव कथयाम्यद्य श्रूयतामृषिसत्तमाः
sūta uvāca | kalpabhedakathā caiva śrutā vyāsānmayā dvijāḥ | tāmeva kathayāmyadya śrūyatāmṛṣisattamāḥ
苏多说道：“噢，诸位二次生的圣贤，我确已从毗耶娑处听闻关于诸劫（kalpa）差别的故事。今日我就讲述那同一段传说——请聆听吧，诸位最胜的见者。”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Cosmic Event: kalpa-bheda (distinctions among cosmic cycles)
FAQs
It establishes the sacred transmission (paramparā) of Shaiva knowledge—Sūta relays what he heard from Vyāsa—affirming that attentive listening (śravaṇa) to Purāṇic narration purifies the mind and prepares one for devotion to Shiva, the constant Pati amid changing kalpas.
Though this line is a narrative introduction, it frames the authority of the coming teachings—within Kotirudra Saṃhitā these lead toward Jyotirliṅga glory and Saguna Shiva worship—showing that correct Linga-bhakti is grounded in revealed narration received through authentic teachers.
The implied practice is devotional listening (śravaṇa) and contemplation (manana) of Shiva-kathā; as a practical takeaway, hear or recite the Purāṇa with reverence and conclude with Shiva-smaraṇa such as the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”