पुष्कसोऽपि तथा प्राप्तः प्रसंगेन सदाशिवम् । किं पुनः श्रद्धया युक्ताः शिवाय परमात्मने
puṣkaso'pi tathā prāptaḥ prasaṃgena sadāśivam | kiṃ punaḥ śraddhayā yuktāḥ śivāya paramātmane
पुष्कसही केवळ प्रसंगमात्राने सदाशिवास प्राप्त झाला; मग श्रद्धायुक्त होऊन परमात्मा शिवाला शरण जाणारे किती अधिक फल पावतील!
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Tirtha: Kedāra-kṣetra (implied)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A contrast tableau: a marginalized figure (Puṣkasa) is shown receiving Śiva’s grace through mere proximity, while earnest devotees with faith are depicted approaching Śiva as Paramātman with confident devotion.
If accidental merit can elevate a person, then faith-filled devotion to Śiva (Paramātman) yields far greater spiritual fulfillment.
Kedāra, where the narrative underscores the extraordinary efficacy of Śivarātri-related merit.
Śraddhā (faith) and devotion to Śiva are upheld as superior; the background presumes Śivarātri observance (upavāsa/jāgara).