Shloka 36
भक्तिभेदाः—ज्ञानप्रधानभक्तेः प्रशंसा
Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion
महिमा शांकरोनंतो दुर्विज्ञेयो मनीषिभिः । भक्तज्ञातश्च सद्भक्त्या तत्प्रसादाद्विना श्रमम्
mahimā śāṃkaronaṃto durvijñeyo manīṣibhiḥ | bhaktajñātaśca sadbhaktyā tatprasādādvinā śramam
The glory of Śaṅkara is endless and difficult to comprehend even for the wisest. Yet it becomes known to devotees through true devotion (bhakti); by His grace it is realized effortlessly, without strain.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes the Siddhāntic principle that Śiva is ultimately known not by mere intellectual effort but by bhakti ripened into grace (anugraha), which is the inner ‘tīrtha’ accessible everywhere.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s nature and greatness are limitless and not fully grasped by intellect alone; realization arises through sadbhakti, and is completed by Śiva’s prasāda (grace), aligning with Shaiva emphasis on grace as the decisive factor for liberation.
The verse supports Saguna worship as a practical doorway: through loving devotion to Śiva in accessible forms—such as the Liṅga—one receives His grace, by which the infinite (beyond concepts) becomes personally known.
Cultivate sadbhakti through daily Śiva-pūjā and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), offering water/bilva to the Liṅga with humility, focusing on surrender so that realization comes by prasāda rather than mere effort.