Shloka 20
उपमन्यूपदेशः
Upamanyu’s Instruction
विकर्णश्च महादेवं तथा भक्तसुखावहम् । प्रसाद्य महतीं सिद्धिमाप्तवान्मधुसूदन
vikarṇaśca mahādevaṃ tathā bhaktasukhāvaham | prasādya mahatīṃ siddhimāptavānmadhusūdana
भक्तांना सुख देणाऱ्या महादेवांना विकर्णानेही प्रसन्न करून महान सिद्धी प्राप्त केली—असे मधुसूदन (विष्णु) म्हणाला।
Lord Vishnu (Madhusūdana), as narrator within the Umāsaṃhitā discourse
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it is a testimonial verse: Vikarṇa attains mahā-siddhi by pleasing Mahādeva, and Viṣṇu (Madhusūdana) is cited as the authority affirming Śiva’s bhakta-vātsalya.
Significance: Establishes Śiva as ‘bhakta-sukhāvaha’—a doctrinally important epithet supporting pilgrimage/vrata culture: devotion to Śiva yields siddhi and well-being by his grace.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that true siddhi arises primarily from Śiva’s prasāda (grace) gained through sincere devotion—Mahādeva is described as the giver of joy to devotees, emphasizing grace over mere technique.
Calling Shiva “bhakta-sukhāvaha” highlights Saguna Śiva—approachable and responsive to worship. In Shiva Purana practice, this is commonly expressed through Linga-upāsanā as a concrete form of devotion that invites divine grace.
The takeaway is propitiation (prasādana) of Shiva through bhakti—classically done with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Linga worship (water/leaf offerings), seeking grace rather than display-oriented powers.