Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
रुद्ररथ-निर्माणवर्णनम् / Description of Rudra’s Divine Chariot Construction
व्यास उवाच । सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ शैवप्रवर सन्मते । अद्भुतेयं कथा तात श्राविता परिमेशितुः
vyāsa uvāca | sanatkumāra sarvajña śaivapravara sanmate | adbhuteyaṃ kathā tāta śrāvitā parimeśituḥ
毗耶娑说道：“噢，善那特库玛罗，全知者，湿婆奉献者中最卓越、慧解高贵者——亲爱的孩子啊，这奇妙的故事我已听闻，正如所宣说的那般，皆是关于帕拉梅湿瓦拉（至上主湿婆）。”
Vyāsa
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes the authority-chain (Vyāsa → Sanatkumāra → Śiva-kathā) typical of Purāṇic transmission; hearing such kathā at Śiva-sthalas is treated as a primary means of accruing merit and ripening for grace.
FAQs
The verse sanctifies śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a valid means of receiving Śiva-kathā—knowledge and grace-centered narrative about Parameśvara—affirming that sacred history becomes spiritually transformative when heard with reverence toward Śiva.
By calling Śiva “Parameśvara,” the verse frames the coming narrative as revelation about the Supreme who is approached in Saguna forms (including the Liṅga) for devotion and grace, while remaining the highest Lord beyond all limitations.
The implied practice is śiva-kathā-śravaṇa—regular listening/recitation of Shiva Purana with focused mind and devotion, ideally preceded by simple purity observances (e.g., vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra and remembrance of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).