अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति
अतस्तत्र पठेद्विद्वाञ् छिवभक्तो दृढव्रतः यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि स्तवं सर्वमनुत्तमम्
atastatra paṭhedvidvāñ chivabhakto dṛḍhavrataḥ yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādvāpi stavaṃ sarvamanuttamam
ゆえに、その聖なる場において、学識ある者—誓戒に堅く、シヴァへのバクティに満ちた者—は、この無上の讃歌を余すところなく誦すべきである。これを誦する者も、信をもって聴聞する者も、その浄化の力にあずかる。
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It elevates stotra-recitation (pāṭha) and reverent hearing (śravaṇa) as direct supports to Linga-centered Śiva-bhakti, emphasizing disciplined observance (dṛḍha-vrata) as the proper devotional frame.
By calling the hymn “anuttama” (unsurpassed) and prescribing its complete recitation, the verse implies Śiva as Pati—the supreme reality worthy of total praise—whose grace can be accessed through devotion, even by mere listening.
Stotra-pāṭha and śravaṇa performed with vrata (disciplined vow) are highlighted—devotional disciplines aligned with Shaiva practice that purify the paśu (soul) and weaken pāśa (bondage) through sustained Śiva-bhakti.