Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
तारकासुर-पूर्ववृत्त-प्रश्नः (Questions on Tārakāsura and Śivā’s tapas) / “Inquiry into Tārakāsura’s origin and Śivā–Śiva narrative”
ब्रह्मोवाच पुत्रवर्य महाप्राज्ञ सुरर्षे शंसितव्रतः । वच्म्यहं शंकरं स्मृत्वा सर्वं तच्चरितं शृणु
brahmovāca putravarya mahāprājña surarṣe śaṃsitavrataḥ | vacmyahaṃ śaṃkaraṃ smṛtvā sarvaṃ taccaritaṃ śṛṇu
梵天（Brahmā）说道：“最胜之子啊，大智者啊，持守可赞誓愿的天仙圣者啊——忆念商羯罗（Śaṅkara），我将把他的一切圣行与事迹尽皆宣说。你且谛听。”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that sacred narration becomes spiritually potent when begun with smaraṇa (remembrance) of Śaṅkara—invoking the Lord’s grace so the listener receives the purifying fruit of the divine history.
By emphasizing “remembering Śaṅkara” before describing His carita, the verse supports Saguna upāsanā—approaching Shiva through name, form, and deeds (often centered on the Liṅga) as an accessible means to devotion and inner purification.
Begin study or recitation with Śiva-smaraṇa—mentally invoking “Śaṅkara” (optionally with the Pañcākṣarī, Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to sanctify listening and align the mind in bhakti.