Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 40
आढ्यो वापि दरिद्रो वा उत्तमो ह्यधमोऽपि वा । शिवभक्तिरतो नित्यं शिव एव न संशयः
āḍhyo vāpi daridro vā uttamo hyadhamo'pi vā | śivabhaktirato nityaṃ śiva eva na saṃśayaḥ
Sama ada kaya atau miskin, sama ada mulia atau hina—sesiapa yang sentiasa tekun dalam bhakti kepada Śiva, dialah sesungguhnya Śiva sendiri; tiada syak lagi.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) addressing the sages (deduced)
Tirtha: Kedāra / Kedārakṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A rich patron and a poor pilgrim stand side by side offering bilva and water to a Śiva-linga; Śiva’s light equally blesses both; attendants and priests show equal reverence; inscription-like emphasis: ‘Śivabhaktaḥ śiva eva’.
FAQs
Social status is irrelevant; unwavering devotion to Śiva is the true mark of spiritual greatness.
Set within Kedārakhaṇḍa, it supports Kedāra’s Śaiva ethos, though the teaching is broadly applicable.
The prescription is continuous Śiva-bhakti (regular devotion), rather than a single external rite.