Shloka 1
तपसो महिमा
The Greatness and Typology of Tapas
व्यास उवाच । सनत्कुमार सर्वज्ञ तत्प्राप्तिं वद सत्तम । यद्गत्वा न निवर्तंते शिवभक्तियुता नराः
vyāsa uvāca | sanatkumāra sarvajña tatprāptiṃ vada sattama | yadgatvā na nivartaṃte śivabhaktiyutā narāḥ
व्यास बोले—हे सनत्कुमार, हे सर्वज्ञ, हे सत्पुरुषों में श्रेष्ठ! उस (परम पद) की प्राप्ति का उपाय कहिए, जहाँ पहुँचकर शिवभक्ति से युक्त मनुष्य फिर लौटते नहीं।
Vyasa
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a specific shrine; it introduces the mokṣa-question: the upāya to attain ‘That’ state from which Śiva-bhaktas do not return.
Significance: Articulates the pilgrim’s ultimate aim (apunarāvṛtti). In Siddhānta terms, it points to Śiva’s grace culminating in liberation beyond rebirth.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It frames the central Shaiva goal: the “non-return” state (moksha) attained through Śiva-bhakti, where the soul is freed from pāśa (bondage) and no longer cycles through saṃsāra.
Vyāsa asks for the practical means to reach the supreme state; in the Shiva Purana this is commonly taught through Saguna worship—especially Śiva-liṅga devotion, mantra, and disciplined conduct—leading the devotee toward realization of Śiva as Pati (the Lord).
The verse points to a path centered on Śiva-bhakti; typical Shiva Purana practices aligned with this include japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), liṅga-pūjā, and observances such as bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as supports for steady devotion.