Shloka 37
Viśveśvara-māhātmya and the Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Emergence of Śiva (Śakti–Puruṣa/Prakṛti Discourse)
मुक्तिदाता भवानेव कामदश्च न चापरः । तस्मात्त्वमुपकाराय तिष्ठोमासहितस्सदा
muktidātā bhavāneva kāmadaśca na cāparaḥ | tasmāttvamupakārāya tiṣṭhomāsahitassadā
You alone are the bestower of mukti (liberation), and You alone grant all desired boons—there is none other. Therefore, for the welfare of devotees, remain always present, together with Umā.
A devotee/petitioner addressing Lord Shiva (as narrated by Suta Goswami in the Kotirudra Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The supplicant declares Śiva alone as muktidātā and kāmada, urging Him to remain in Kāśī together with Umā for devotees’ welfare—grounding the kṣetra’s salvific reputation in Śiva’s continuous presence.
Significance: Kāśī is portrayed as a grace-field where Śiva’s presence with Umā supports both bhukti (boons) and mukti (liberation), aligning pilgrimage with anugraha rather than mere merit.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse affirms Shiva as the sole Lord (Pati) who grants both bhukti (worldly fulfillment) and mukti (liberation), emphasizing surrender and devotion as the means to grace.
By praying for Shiva’s continual presence “with Umā,” the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching Shiva in a gracious, accessible form (often as the Jyotirlinga/Linga) for the devotee’s protection and uplift.
A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-upāsanā with bhakti—Linga worship while remembering Shiva-Umā together, supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a path toward both welfare and liberation.