Shloka 24
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
कथयित्वा च पुत्रं स शिवभक्तिरतो भव । इत्युक्त्वा स गतो मुक्तो दाधीचिश्शैवसत्तमः
kathayitvā ca putraṃ sa śivabhaktirato bhava | ityuktvā sa gato mukto dādhīciśśaivasattamaḥ
Having thus instructed his son, he said, “Be devoted to the worship of Lord Śiva.” After speaking these words, that supreme Śaiva—Dadhīci—departed, liberated, having attained mokṣa through steadfast devotion to Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse presents śivabhakti as a direct, life-transforming instruction passed from elder to heir, and it affirms that steadfast devotion to Pati (Śiva) culminates in mokṣa—freedom from bondage (pāśa) and the cycle of rebirth.
Though the Liṅga is not named here, the instruction “be devoted to Śiva” aligns with Saguna upāsanā taught throughout the Kotirudra Saṃhitā—approaching Śiva through worship, pilgrimage, and reverence, which purifies the soul and leads toward liberation.
The practical takeaway is to cultivate daily śivabhakti—regular worship and remembrance of Śiva, commonly supported in the Shiva Purana by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and devotional observances that steady the mind toward Śiva.