Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 4
येन केनापि भावेन शिवभक्तियुतो नरः । न विनश्यति कालेन स याति परमां गतिम्
yena kenāpi bhāvena śivabhaktiyuto naraḥ | na vinaśyati kālena sa yāti paramāṃ gatim
L’homme uni à la dévotion envers Śiva—par quelque sentiment sincère que ce soit—ne périt pas sous le pouvoir du Temps ; il atteint la plus haute demeure.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa/Sūta)
Listener: Ṛṣis
Scene: A devotee, regardless of social status, offers a simple leaf or water to Śiva; behind him looms a dark figure of Kāla dissolving into light, signifying time’s defeat by devotion.
FAQs
Even simple, heartfelt devotion to Śiva protects one from spiritual ruin and leads to the highest end.
No tīrtha is referenced; the focus is the power of Śiva-bhakti itself.
The prescription is devotional orientation (bhāva) toward Śiva; no specific rite is mandated.