Shloka 19
देवस्तुतिः — Hymn of Praise by the Devas
Devastuti
द्विजो मंदरनामापि वेश्यागामी खलोऽधमः । त्वद्भक्तः शिव संपूज्य तया सह गतिं गतः
dvijo maṃdaranāmāpi veśyāgāmī khalo'dhamaḥ | tvadbhaktaḥ śiva saṃpūjya tayā saha gatiṃ gataḥ
O Śiva, even a twice-born man named Mandara—though fallen, base, and one who frequented a courtesan—became Your devotee; having duly worshipped You, he attained the supreme state together with her.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a general exemplum (dṛṣṭānta) that Śiva-bhakti and proper pūjā can override grave demerit and elevate both the sinner and an associated person.
Significance: Establishes the Purāṇic assurance that sincere Śiva-pūjā and bhakti can grant ‘paramā gati’ even to the morally fallen, encouraging repentance and temple-worship.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s grace (anugraha) and sincere bhakti can purify even a deeply fallen person; true worship redirects the soul from bondage (pāśa) toward liberating gati.
The verse emphasizes ‘saṃpūjya’—proper worship of Śiva in a tangible, devotional form (Saguna), commonly expressed in the Purāṇa through Liṅga-pūjā, by which Śiva bestows upliftment and liberation.
The takeaway is sincere Śiva-pūjā with repentance and steady bhakti—classically supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and regular worship with purity of intent.