Shloka 78
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
य एतच्छृणुयाद्भक्त्या श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः । इह सर्वसुखं भुक्त्वा सोऽन्ते शिवगतिं लभेत्
ya etacchṛṇuyādbhaktyā śrāvayedvā samāhitaḥ | iha sarvasukhaṃ bhuktvā so'nte śivagatiṃ labhet
Whoever listens to this with devotion—or, with a collected mind, causes it to be recited—enjoys all happiness in this very world and, in the end, attains Śiva’s supreme state (Śiva-gati).
Suta Goswami (narrating the phalaśruti to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Positions bhakti-śravaṇa and śrāvaṇa (causing recitation) as accessible pilgrimage-in-itself, culminating in ‘śiva-gati’ (Śiva’s state) after worldly sukha.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that bhakti expressed through śravaṇa (devout listening) and sharing the teaching leads to both worldly well-being and the highest end—Śiva-gati, liberation in Lord Shiva’s grace.
The verse emphasizes devotion and attentive engagement with Shiva’s narrative/teaching as a valid form of Saguna Shiva worship; hearing and reciting Shiva’s glory is treated as direct seva that culminates in Shiva’s ultimate attainment.
Regular śravaṇa and pāṭha (listening to and reciting the chapter) with samādhāna (mental focus); as a Shaiva takeaway, pair it with simple devotion such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and a calm, concentrated mind.