वासिष्ठकथनम् (आदित्य–सोमवंशवर्णनम् तथा रुद्रसहस्रनाम-प्रशंसा)
ततो ह्यनुज्ञां प्राप्यैवं स्तुतो भक्तिमतां गतिः तस्माल्लब्ध्वा स्तवं शंभोर् नृपस्त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतः
tato hyanujñāṃ prāpyaivaṃ stuto bhaktimatāṃ gatiḥ tasmāllabdhvā stavaṃ śaṃbhor nṛpastrailokyaviśrutaḥ
ثمّ، بعد أن نال الإذن من شِڤا—ذلك الذي إذا مُدِحَ على هذا النحو صار ملجأَ أهل البهكتي ومآلَهم الأخير—تلقّى الملكُ المشهور في العوالم الثلاثة ذلك النشيدَ لشمبهو (Śambhu).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It frames Shiva-stuti as a direct means to receive Śiva’s anujñā (sanction) and anugraha, implying that worship of the Linga culminates not merely in ritual merit but in Shiva becoming the devotee’s gati—refuge and final aim.
Śiva is presented as Pati—the ultimate gati of bhaktas—who responds to praise with conscious grace (anugraha) and permission, indicating a personal, liberating Lord who guides the pashu beyond bondage rather than an impersonal principle.
Stotra-japa and stuti within Shiva-puja are highlighted: praising Śambhu with devotion leads to divine assent (anujñā), a key devotional discipline that supports Pāśupata-oriented practice by aligning the pashu’s mind toward Pati.