Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन शक्रेण मुनिसत्तमः वरयामि शिवे भक्तिम् इत्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः
evamuktastadā tena śakreṇa munisattamaḥ varayāmi śive bhaktim ityuvāca kṛtāñjaliḥ
Setelah ditegur demikian oleh Śakra (Indra), resi yang paling utama itu, dengan tangan dirapatkan, menjawab: “Aku memilih bhakti kepada Śiva.”
Muni-sattama (the foremost sage, speaking to Indra/Śakra)
It presents Shiva-bhakti itself as the supreme boon—implying that Linga worship is not merely for worldly gains, but for turning the pashu (individual soul) toward Pati (Shiva) and liberation.
By choosing devotion to Shiva over other boons, the verse implies Shiva-tattva as the highest refuge and final aim—greater than Indra’s powers—drawing the seeker beyond pāśa (bondage) toward grace.
The key practice is bhakti expressed through reverence (kṛtāñjali) and intentional vow-like choosing of Shiva as the sole aim—an inner orientation foundational to Pashupata-aligned sadhana and Linga-puja.