Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 25
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
तस्माल्लब्ध्वाप्यलब्ध्वा वा वर्णधर्मं मयेरितम् । आश्रित्य मम भक्तश्चेत्स्वात्मनात्मानमुद्धरेत् । अलब्धलाभ एवैष कोटिकोटिगुणाधिकः । तस्मान्मे मुखतो लब्धं वर्णधर्मं समाचरेत्
tasmāllabdhvāpyalabdhvā vā varṇadharmaṃ mayeritam | āśritya mama bhaktaścetsvātmanātmānamuddharet | alabdhalābha evaiṣa koṭikoṭiguṇādhikaḥ | tasmānme mukhato labdhaṃ varṇadharmaṃ samācaret
Therefore, whether one has obtained worldly attainments or not, one should rely upon the varṇa-dharma taught by Me. If My devotee, taking refuge in it, uplifts the self by the self, that very “gain through non-gaining” surpasses merits by crores upon crores. Hence, one should duly practice the varṇa-dharma received from My own mouth.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Emphasizes dharma as stabilizing discipline for the bound soul regardless of worldly success/failure; ‘alabdhalābha’ (contented non-grasping) is praised as spiritually superior.
Role: teaching
FAQs
Shiva teaches that true spiritual profit is not worldly acquisition but inner elevation: by taking refuge in dharma and devotion, the soul refines itself and moves toward liberation—this ‘gain without worldly gain’ surpasses all other merits.
It frames Saguna Shiva-bhakti as disciplined devotion: worship and surrender are meant to be supported by righteous conduct (varṇa-dharma), making Linga worship a complete path of purification rather than mere ritual for worldly results.
The practical takeaway is steady dharma-based living joined to Shiva-bhakti—regular worship, japa, and self-examination that ‘uplifts the self by the self’; the verse emphasizes inner transformation over seeking external gains.