Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 21
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
मद्दत्तो ह्याश्रयः पुंसां महत्त्वायोपजायते । महांतस्तत्स्वरूपं च पश्यंति नेतरेऽशुभाः
maddatto hyāśrayaḥ puṃsāṃ mahattvāyopajāyate | mahāṃtastatsvarūpaṃ ca paśyaṃti netare'śubhāḥ
まことに、我が人々に授ける帰依（庇護）は、彼らを真の偉大さへと導く。大いなる心をもつ者はその本質を見極めるが、不浄の性をもつ者は見ることができない。
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Frames ‘āśraya’ (refuge in Śiva) as the cause of mahattva (spiritual greatness); only the mahāntaḥ perceive its svarūpa—pilgrimage is fruitful when joined with inner purity and surrender.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva’s anugraha (grace) as “āśraya” (refuge) elevates the seeker into mahattva (spiritual greatness), and that only purified, noble souls can directly perceive the true reality behind that grace.
Taking “refuge given by Me” aligns with approaching Shiva through accessible forms like the Linga (saguṇa upāsanā). Through devoted worship, the mind becomes purified, enabling perception of Shiva’s deeper svarūpa beyond mere external seeing.
Cultivate purity and devotion through regular Linga-pūjā with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and steady dhyāna on Shiva as the inner refuge—so the “tat-svarūpa” becomes directly knowable.