Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 62
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
फलार्थिनो ऽपि यस्यैव मयि चित्तं प्रतिष्ठितम् । भावानुरूपफलदस्तस्याप्यहमनिन्दिते । फलानपेक्षया येषां मनो मत्प्रवणं भवेत् । प्रार्थयेयुः फलं पश्चाद्भक्तास्ते ऽपि मम प्रियाः
phalārthino 'pi yasyaiva mayi cittaṃ pratiṣṭhitam | bhāvānurūpaphaladastasyāpyahamanindite | phalānapekṣayā yeṣāṃ mano matpravaṇaṃ bhavet | prārthayeyuḥ phalaṃ paścādbhaktāste 'pi mama priyāḥ
हे अनिंदिते! जो फळाची इच्छा ठेवूनही माझ्यात चित्त दृढ स्थिर करतो, त्याच्या भावाप्रमाणे फळ देणारा मीच होतो. आणि ज्यांचे मन फळाची अपेक्षा न ठेवता माझ्याकडे झुकते, ते भक्त नंतर वर मागितला तरी तेही मला प्रिय आहेत.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishing the mind in Śiva (citta-pratiṣṭhā) makes even desire-motivated worship mature into Śiva’s grace; teaches that bhāva (inner disposition) governs the fruit.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva responds to the devotee’s bhāva (inner intention): even desire-motivated worship becomes sanctified when the mind rests in Shiva, while desireless devotion is especially cherished and leads toward liberation.
Linga/Saguna worship is a concrete means to steady the mind in Shiva; when attention is anchored in the Lord through form-based devotion, Shiva grants appropriate fruits—ultimately turning the devotee from seeking boons (bhoga) toward grace and freedom (moksha).
Practice single-pointed bhakti: daily Linga-puja with the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering water/bilva, and japa while consciously dropping expectation—then, if needed, ask for boons only after establishing devotion.