Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 64
Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā
The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha
इदं चरित्रं परमं पवित्रं सतां च सर्वप्रदमाशु दिव्यम् । शिवावतारस्य विशाम्पतेर्महानन्दामहासौख्यकरं विचित्रम्
idaṃ caritraṃ paramaṃ pavitraṃ satāṃ ca sarvapradamāśu divyam | śivāvatārasya viśāmpatermahānandāmahāsaukhyakaraṃ vicitram
此圣传至为清净，最能涤除垢染——具大神圣之性，并迅速赐予贤善者一切福德。噫，人中之主，此乃湿婆之化身（avatāra）奇妙事迹，能带来大安乐与深邃的灵性喜悦。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: As a phala-śruti for the avatāra-carita, it presents the narrative itself as purifying and boon-bestowing; in Vaidyanātha kṣetra traditions, hearing/reciting the māhātmya is held to remove ‘bhava-roga’ and confer auspicious attainments.
Significance: Śravaṇa-kīrtana of the kṣetra/avatāra narrative is treated as a sādhana: it purifies, grants desired boons, and supports the devotee’s movement toward mokṣa and enduring ānanda.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse praises śravaṇa (devout listening) of Śiva’s avatāra-caritra as a direct purifier of the mind and a swift giver of auspicious attainments, culminating in inner bliss through Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
By glorifying Śiva’s avatāra narrative, it supports Saguna-upāsanā—approaching the transcendent Pati through his manifest forms and deeds—strengthening devotion that naturally matures into reverence for the Liṅga as Śiva’s abiding presence.
The implied practice is regular recitation and listening of Śiva-kathā with devotion; it may be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to internalize the purifying and bliss-bestowing effect described.