Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
भक्तिभेदाः—ज्ञानप्रधानभक्तेः प्रशंसा
Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion
तत्र ज्ञानी प्रियतर ममरूपञ्च स स्मृतः । तस्मात्प्रियतरो नान्यः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्
tatra jñānī priyatara mamarūpañca sa smṛtaḥ | tasmātpriyataro nānyaḥ satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmyaham
هناك يكون الجْناني، العارف بالحقّ، أحبَّ الناس إليّ، ويُذكَر أيضًا على أنّه صورتي عينها. لذلك لا أحد أحبَّ من الجْناني—حقًّا حقًّا أقول أنا هذا.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse declares that the true knower of Shiva-tattva is most beloved to Shiva and is regarded as Shiva’s own form—pointing to liberation through right knowledge that culminates in intimate union with Pati (Shiva).
Linga and saguna-upāsanā purify the mind and concentrate devotion; when worship ripens into direct knowledge of Shiva as the supreme Lord, the devotee becomes a “jñānī,” whom Shiva calls His own form—showing worship’s culmination in realization.
Sustained Shiva-upāsanā that matures into contemplation (nididhyāsana) on Shiva-tattva—supported by Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined purity (e.g., bhasma/tripuṇḍra and rudrākṣa) to stabilize knowledge and devotion.