Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
नारदप्रश्नवर्णन (Nāradapraśna-varṇana) — “Account of Nārada’s Inquiry”
सूत उवाच । वच आकर्ण्य गणयोरिति भक्त्युक्तमादरात् । प्रत्युवाच मुनिः प्रीत्या पश्चात्तापमवाप्य सः
sūta uvāca | vaca ākarṇya gaṇayoriti bhaktyuktamādarāt | pratyuvāca muniḥ prītyā paścāttāpamavāpya saḥ
苏多说道：听到湿婆的两位侍从以虔敬与恭敬所说之言，那位圣贤心中欢喜，又被悔意所触动，随后再次作答。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights two Shaiva virtues—bhakti (devotion) and paścāttāpa (remorse for error). In Shaiva Siddhanta, inner purification through humility and sincere repentance prepares the soul (paśu) to receive Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Śiva’s gaṇas represent Saguna Śiva’s living retinue and presence in the world; honoring them with devotion reflects the attitude required in Linga-worship—reverence, self-correction, and receptive humility before Śiva’s manifested forms.
The practical takeaway is to pair japa (especially “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with self-examination and repentance for lapses, then renew one’s vow of respectful conduct—an inner discipline that supports puja, bhasma-dhāraṇa, and steady bhakti.