Śivapūjā-stuti: Deva-Ṛṣi-Paramparāyāṃ Śaṃkara-caritasya Prastāvaḥ
Prelude to Śaṃkara’s narrative and the lineage of Śiva-worship
ययातिः शिवपूजातः सर्वान्कामानवाप्तवान् । अजीजनत्सुतान्पंच शिवधर्मपरायणान्
yayātiḥ śivapūjātaḥ sarvānkāmānavāptavān | ajījanatsutānpaṃca śivadharmaparāyaṇān
By worshipping Lord Śiva, King Yayāti attained every desired blessing; and he begot five sons, all devoted to the dharma of Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights the twofold fruit of Śiva-worship: (1) kāmya-phala (desired boons) and (2) dhārmic continuity through progeny devoted to Śiva—framed as Śiva’s sustaining governance (sthiti) over worldly order.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
It teaches that Śiva’s grace responds to sincere worship: worldly aims may be fulfilled, but the higher fruit is the rise of Śiva-dharma—devotion and right conduct oriented to Pati (Lord Śiva), which purifies the soul (paśu) and loosens bondage (pāśa).
The verse highlights results gained through śivapūjā—typically performed to Saguna Śiva, often via Liṅga worship. In the Kotirudrasaṃhitā context (Jyotirliṅga-centered), it supports the idea that worship of Śiva’s manifest form becomes a channel for receiving His grace and blessings.
A practical takeaway is regular Śiva-pūjā with mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—along with simple offerings (water, bilva leaves) and a Śaiva way of life (śivadharma) grounded in purity, restraint, and devotion.