Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
सतीकृतप्रार्थना तथा परतत्त्वजिज्ञासा — Satī’s Prayer and Inquiry into the Supreme Principle
सा भक्तिर्द्विविधा देवि सगुणा निर्गुणा मता । वैधी स्वाभाविकी या या वरा सा त्ववरा स्मृता
sā bhaktirdvividhā devi saguṇā nirguṇā matā | vaidhī svābhāvikī yā yā varā sā tvavarā smṛtā
देवि, भक्ती दोन प्रकारची मानली आहे—सगुण आणि निर्गुण. यांपैकी वैधी (विधिनिष्ठ) भक्ती श्रेष्ठ मानली जाते, आणि स्वाभाविकी (स्वतःस्फूर्त) भक्ती अवरा म्हणून स्मरली जाते.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse classifies bhakti and emphasizes that disciplined, scripture-aligned devotion stabilizes the mind and aligns the soul (paśu) with Shiva (Pati), preparing it for grace and liberation—moving from form-based worship toward transcendent realization.
Saguṇa bhakti naturally includes Linga worship, mantra-japa, and temple observances. The verse highlights vaidhī bhakti—worship performed as taught in scripture—supporting steady devotion to Saguna Shiva, which can mature into nirguṇa-oriented insight.
It points to vaidhī practice: daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), Linga pūjā with proper rules, and supportive disciplines like wearing rudrākṣa and applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as part of regulated Shaiva sādhanā.