Aśvatthāmā’s Stuti of Rudra and Śiva’s Empowerment (सौप्तिकपर्व, अध्याय ७)
येषां विस्मयते नित्यं भगवान् कर्मभिह्र: । मनोवाक्कर्मभिय॑क्तिनित्यमाराधितश्न यै:
sañjaya uvāca | yeṣāṃ vismayate nityaṃ bhagavān karmabhiḥ | manovākkarmabhir yukti-nityam ārādhitaś ca yaiḥ | sākṣād bhagavān śaṅkaraḥ ||
संजय बोले—उनके कर्म ऐसे थे कि भगवान् प्रतिदिन देखकर विस्मित हो जाते थे। वे मन, वाणी और कर्म से सदा संयत रहकर निरन्तर आराधना करते थे; स्वयं साक्षात् भगवान् शंकर की वे दिन-प्रतिदिन उपासना करते थे।
संजय उवाच
True devotion is not merely ritual; it is sustained integrity—worship expressed through the alignment of mind, speech, and action, carried out with constant attentiveness and disciplined intent.
Sañjaya describes a group whose conduct and devotional practice are so exemplary that the divine is said to marvel at their deeds; they are portrayed as daily worshippers of Śaṅkara (Mahādeva) through thought, word, and deed.