Shloka 22
अग्नियज्ञ-देवयज्ञ-ब्रह्मयज्ञ-गुरुपूजा-क्रमनिरूपणम् / Ordering and Definitions of Agniyajña, Devayajña, Brahmayajña, and Guru-Pūjā
वारक्रमफलं प्राहुर्देवप्रीतिपुरःसरम् । अन्येषामपि देवानां पूजायाः फलदः शिवः
vārakramaphalaṃ prāhurdevaprītipuraḥsaram | anyeṣāmapi devānāṃ pūjāyāḥ phaladaḥ śivaḥ
Man sagt, die Frucht, die in rechter Ordnung (gemäß der vorgeschriebenen Abfolge der Verehrung) erlangt wird, gehe der Zufriedenheit der Götter voraus; doch selbst bei der Verehrung anderer Gottheiten ist es allein Śiva, der den daraus entstehenden Lohn gewährt.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific legend; the verse states a pan-Śaiva doctrine: devatā-prīti may condition proximate results, but the ultimate phala-dātṛ (giver of fruits) is Śiva alone.
Significance: Establishes theological orientation for pilgrimage and devatā-worship: all boons culminate by Śiva’s sanction; encourages Śiva-bhakti as the highest refuge.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that while ritual worship may please various devas, the ultimate dispenser of karmic and spiritual results is Śiva—the supreme Pati—so all worship culminates in His sanction and grace.
It supports the Shaiva view that Saguna Śiva (worshiped as the Liṅga and as the Lord with attributes) is the accessible form through whom all divine functions operate, including granting the fruits of worship directed even to other deities.
Follow the prescribed order of worship (vārakrama) and consciously offer the fruit to Śiva—ideally with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—recognizing Him as the Phaladātā behind all rites.