Shloka 185
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
दिवसं दिवसार्ध वा मुहूर्त वा क्षणं लवम् न हालब्धप्रसादस्य भक्तिर्भवति शडूकरे
divasaṁ divasārdhaṁ vā muhūrtaṁ vā kṣaṇaṁ lavaṁ na | alabdha-prasādasya bhaktir bhavati śaṅkare ||
Vāsudeva dit : Pour celui qui n’a pas obtenu la grâce de Śiva, la dévotion envers Śaṅkara ne s’éveille pas—pas même pour un jour, ni pour un demi-jour, ni pour un muhūrta, ni pour un instant, ni pour la plus infime fraction de temps.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True devotion to Śiva is not sustained by mere effort alone; it arises through Śiva’s prasāda (grace). The verse emphasizes humility and the recognition that spiritual transformation depends on divine favor as well as sincere seeking.
Vāsudeva is speaking in praise of Śiva’s supremacy in granting devotion and spiritual awakening, stressing that without Śiva’s acceptance a person cannot maintain even momentary bhakti toward him.