Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 24
Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)
सूत उवाच । द्विजास्तदपि सत्यं वै कल्पभेदसमाश्रयात् । वर्णयामि विशेषेण तां कथामपि सुव्रता
sūta uvāca | dvijāstadapi satyaṃ vai kalpabhedasamāśrayāt | varṇayāmi viśeṣeṇa tāṃ kathāmapi suvratā
苏多说道：“诸位二生者啊，那也确为真实，因为它依于诸劫（kalpa）的差别。故而，诸位持善誓者，我也将把那段故事分别明了、详尽地叙述。”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Sūta legitimizes multiple versions by invoking kalpa-bheda (variation across cosmic cycles). This frames Purāṇic narrative plurality within a cosmological doctrine rather than a local shrine legend.
Significance: Hermeneutic benefit: teaches that sacred history can recur with variations across kalpas; encourages śraddhā without sectarian contradiction, focusing on dharma and mokṣa intent.
Cosmic Event: kalpa-bheda (aeonic variation across cosmic cycles)
FAQs
It establishes that Purāṇic narratives can vary across cosmic cycles (kalpas) without losing truth, encouraging the listener to focus on the enduring Shaiva essence—devotion to Pati (Śiva) and liberation from pāśa (bondage).
By affirming kalpa-based variation, it implies that specific story details may change, while the core worship of Saguna Śiva—especially through the Jyotirliṅga tradition emphasized in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā—remains authoritative and spiritually effective.
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and manana (reflection) on the kathā with steadiness of vow (suvrata), which traditionally supports mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) alongside regular Śiva-pūjā.