Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
देवस्तुतिः—नन्दिकेश्वरविज्ञप्तिः—शम्भोः समाधेः उत्थानम्
Devas’ Hymn, Nandikeśvara’s Petition, and Śiva’s Rising from Samādhi
अथ विष्णुर्महाभक्तो देवानां हितकारकः । मदीरितमुवाचेदं सुरकार्यं महत्तरम्
atha viṣṇurmahābhakto devānāṃ hitakārakaḥ | madīritamuvācedaṃ surakāryaṃ mahattaram
Then Viṣṇu—great in devotion and ever intent on the welfare of the devas—spoke forth the weighty charge of the gods, just as I had conveyed it to him.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights that even exalted deities like Viṣṇu are portrayed as mahābhaktas, showing that true spiritual authority in Shaiva narration rests on devotion and alignment with divine will, not merely status or power.
By calling Viṣṇu a great devotee, the text reinforces Saguna devotion as a valid and potent path—devotional service (bhakti) becomes the means by which cosmic duties are fulfilled in harmony with Śiva’s order.
The practical takeaway is bhakti-yoga: undertake duties as service to Śiva, supported by steady japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a devotional intention for loka-kalyāṇa (welfare of all).