Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
हंस-वराह-रूपग्रहण-कारणम्
The Reason for Assuming the Swan and Boar Forms
अनंतरं च यज्जातं माहात्म्यं चरितं तथा । सृष्टेश्चैव प्रकारं च कथय त्वं विशेषतः
anaṃtaraṃ ca yajjātaṃ māhātmyaṃ caritaṃ tathā | sṛṣṭeścaiva prakāraṃ ca kathaya tvaṃ viśeṣataḥ
随后，请你详尽讲述接下来发生之事——其荣耀与诸般事迹——并且尤其说明，造化（sṛṣṭi）是以何种方式展开的。
The sages at Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse models the proper approach to purāṇic wisdom: seekers request not only events but also their māhātmya (spiritual import), emphasizing that creation is to be understood as a sacred process revealing Śiva’s lordship (Pati) and purpose in guiding beings toward liberation.
By asking for the ‘glory’ and ‘account’ behind creation, the sages prepare the ground for understanding how the Saguna manifestation of Śiva (often taught through Linga symbolism and divine acts) becomes a focus for devotion and contemplation within the creation narrative.
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and manana (reflection): hearing the detailed narration of Śiva’s māhātmya and creation with reverence—often paired in Shaiva practice with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to internalize its meaning.