शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्य सामरस्य हरेर्गुणाः । प्रोचुः प्रीत्या गणास्ते हि शंकरस्य रमापतिम्
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya vacastasya sāmarasya harerguṇāḥ | procuḥ prītyā gaṇāste hi śaṃkarasya ramāpatim
梵天说道:听罢那位和谐安然的诃利(Hari)之言,那些侍从——既敬爱商羯罗,又称颂诃利功德者——欢喜而亲切地对罗摩之主(Ramāpati,毗湿奴)开口说道。
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Lakṣmī
Role: nurturing
It highlights concord (sāmarasya) between devotees of Śiva and the virtues of Hari, showing that true bhakti is free from sectarian hostility and is rooted in reverence for the Supreme as manifested through divine forms.
The gaṇas are explicitly Śaṅkara’s attendants, indicating Saguna Śiva’s personal sphere; their affectionate address reflects how devotion to the personal Lord (including Linga worship in the Purāṇa’s wider context) naturally cultivates humility and harmony with other divine manifestations.
The practical takeaway is bhakti expressed through respectful speech and remembrance of divine guṇas—supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and daily worship conducted in a spirit of non-hostility and reverence.