Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
प्रस्थान-विरह-विलापः
Departure and Lament in Separation
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य महेशस्य स्वनाथस्याथ पार्वती । शङ्करस्य प्रिया नित्यं सस्मितोवाच सा सती
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya maheśasya svanāthasyātha pārvatī | śaṅkarasya priyā nityaṃ sasmitovāca sā satī
梵天说道：帕尔瓦蒂听罢大自在天（Maheśa）——她真实的主宰——之言；她恒为商羯罗所钟爱的吉祥女神萨蒂，含笑柔和，遂开口作答。
Brahma
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga; narrative framing shift: Brahmā as narrator introduces Pārvatī’s smiling reply to Maheśa.
Significance: Highlights sat-saṅga/śravaṇa: hearing divine speech and responding with auspicious composure is exemplary for devotees.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
This verse highlights the ideal Shaiva relationship of Pati (Śiva) and Śakti (Pārvatī): the soul’s receptivity to the Lord’s teaching. Pārvatī’s gentle smile signifies faith and inner steadiness as divine instruction is received and then responded to with devotion and discernment.
By naming Śiva as Maheśa and Śaṅkara and showing Pārvatī as his ever-beloved, the text frames devotion to Saguna Śiva—approached personally as one’s Lord (svanātha). Such personal devotion naturally supports Linga-worship as a concrete, sacred focus for reverence and contemplation.
The implied practice is śravaṇa (reverent listening) followed by mindful response—best supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and calm, smiling recollection of Śiva as one’s svanātha during meditation.