Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
रुद्र-विष्णोः ऐकत्व-उपदेशः तथा धर्म-आज्ञा
Instruction on Rudra–Viṣṇu Unity and Divine Injunctions
त्वद्भक्तो यो भवेत्स्वामिन्मम प्रियतरो हि सः । एवं वै यो विजानाति तस्य मुक्तिर्न दुर्लभा
tvadbhakto yo bhavetsvāminmama priyataro hi saḥ | evaṃ vai yo vijānāti tasya muktirna durlabhā
Ô Seigneur, quiconque devient Ton dévot m’est, en vérité, plus cher que tous. Celui qui comprend ce principe—tenant la dévotion envers Toi pour suprême—trouve que la délivrance n’est pas difficile à obtenir.
Brahmā (addressing Lord Śiva during creation-context instruction in the Sṛṣṭi Khaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It declares Shiva-bhakti as the highest spiritual value: one who becomes a true devotee of Śiva is supremely cherished, and by recognizing the supremacy of devotion to Pati (Śiva), liberation becomes readily attainable through grace.
The verse supports Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva as the personal Lord and Master. In Shiva Purana practice this is commonly expressed through Liṅga-pūjā, where devotion (bhakti) becomes the channel for Śiva’s anugraha (saving grace) leading to mukti.
The practical takeaway is steady Shiva-bhakti: daily Liṅga worship with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by traditional aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender and purity.