Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 29
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
अनेकजन्मसिद्धानां श्रौतस्मार्तानुवर्तिनाम् । विरक्तानां प्रबुद्धानां प्रसीदति महेश्वरः
anekajanmasiddhānāṃ śrautasmārtānuvartinām | viraktānāṃ prabuddhānāṃ prasīdati maheśvaraḥ
Mahādeva erweist seine Gnade denen, die durch viele Geburten vollendet wurden: den Treuen der vedischen und smārta‑Disziplinen, den Unverhafteten und den geistig Erwachten.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Defines the inner qualifications (adhikāra) for receiving Śiva’s prasāda—orthopraxy (śrauta-smārta), vairāgya, and bodha—often cultivated through tīrtha-yātrā and vrata over time.
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s anugraha (grace) arises where long cultivation ripens into dharma-based living, inner detachment (vairāgya), and awakened discernment—marking readiness for liberation under Pati (Śiva).
It frames Saguna worship (such as Linga-upāsanā) as most fruitful when supported by Śrauta-Smārta purity and inner renunciation; then the devotee becomes fit to receive Śiva’s grace, which ultimately leads beyond form to the highest realization.
Steady observance of Vedic/Smārta duties along with Shaiva sādhanā—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with a pure mind, and cultivation of vairāgya and self-inquiry leading to prabodha (awakening).