मयस्य शिवस्तुतिः — Maya’s Hymn to Śiva
and Śiva’s Gracious Response
स्वभक्तेषु सदा सख्यं दीनेषु च दयां सदा । उपेक्षामन्यजीवेषु खलेषु परमेश्वर
svabhakteṣu sadā sakhyaṃ dīneṣu ca dayāṃ sadā | upekṣāmanyajīveṣu khaleṣu parameśvara
O Parameśvara, ever maintain friendship with Your own devotees; ever show compassion to the humble and afflicted; remain detached toward other living beings, and toward the wicked keep a stance of holy disregard.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudrasaṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Ethical ‘bhakta-lakṣaṇa’ teaching: pilgrimage is validated by transformed conduct—friendship with devotees, compassion to the dīna, and disciplined non-entanglement with the wicked.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
It teaches a Shaiva ethic aligned with liberation: nurture satsanga (friendship with devotees), practice karuṇā (compassion for the distressed), and maintain vairāgya (detached discernment) so that one’s mind remains fit for Shiva-bhakti and grace.
Linga worship trains the devotee to see Shiva as Pati (the Lord) and to live with purity and discernment: closeness to Shiva’s devotees strengthens devotion, compassion reflects Shiva’s auspicious nature, and measured disregard for the wicked protects one’s sādhana from tamasic influence.
Practice daily Shiva-sādhana with the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), keep satsanga with devotees, and cultivate inner upekṣā through japa and meditation—responding with compassion to the needy while avoiding entanglement with harmful company.