Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
नारदप्रश्नवर्णन (Nāradapraśna-varṇana) — “Account of Nārada’s Inquiry”
सद्यः प्रसन्नो भगवान्भवतीत्यनुसंश्रुतम् । भक्तप्रयासं स महान्न पश्यति दयापरः
sadyaḥ prasanno bhagavānbhavatītyanusaṃśrutam | bhaktaprayāsaṃ sa mahānna paśyati dayāparaḥ
ऐसा श्रुत है कि भगवान् (शिव) सच्ची भक्ति से तत्क्षण प्रसन्न हो जाते हैं। वह दयामय महान् प्रभु भक्त के कष्ट-परिश्रम को नहीं देखते, केवल भक्ति को देखते हैं।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Affirms the Siddhāntic doctrine that Śiva’s grace (anugraha) is immediate when devotion is sincere; the Lord weighs bhakti rather than the devotee’s capacity or hardship.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) whose grace arises swiftly when devotion is genuine; He values inner surrender over outward strain, emphasizing that bhakti is the direct means to His prasāda and liberation-oriented blessing.
In Saguna worship—especially of the Śiva-liṅga—what pleases Śiva is heartfelt devotion and reverence, not the devotee’s physical hardship; the liṅga becomes the compassionate focus through which His immediate grace is received.
Practice simple, steady bhakti: offer water/bilva to the liṅga and repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with sincerity; the teaching implies that even modest rites, done with true devotion, draw Śiva’s quick compassion.