Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
अलकापतेः तपः-लिङ्गप्रतिष्ठा च वरप्राप्तिः / The Lord of Alakā: Austerity, Liṅga-Establishment, and the Receiving of a Boon
अयमेव वरो नाथ यत्त्वं साक्षान्निरीक्ष्यसे । किमन्येन वरेणेश नमस्ते शशिशेखर
ayameva varo nātha yattvaṃ sākṣānnirīkṣyase | kimanyena vareṇeśa namaste śaśiśekhara
“हे नाथ, हाच वर—की तुमचा साक्षात् दर्शन व्हावा. हे ईश, दुसऱ्या वराची काय गरज? हे शशिशेखर, तुला नमस्कार.”
Brahmā (addressing Lord Śiva during the creation narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse declares that direct vision of Lord Shiva (sākṣāt-darśana) is itself the supreme blessing—greater than worldly gifts—because communion with Pati (Shiva) is the root of grace and liberation in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.
It supports Saguna devotion: the devotee longs to behold Shiva personally. In Linga-worship, the Linga is honored as Shiva’s accessible, worship-worthy presence through which the devotee seeks Shiva’s anugraha (grace) and inner realization.
A practical takeaway is darśana-bhāvanā: worship with single-pointed devotion—japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with reverent Shiva-pūjā (optionally with bhasma/tripuṇḍra and rudrākṣa)—seeking not boons, but Shiva’s presence and grace.