Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
त्रिपुरदाहानन्तरं देवभयः ब्रह्मस्तुतिश्च — Fear of the Gods after Tripura’s Burning and Brahmā’s Praise
ब्रह्मोवाच भगवन्देवदेवेश त्रिपुरान्तक शंकर । त्वयि भक्तिः परा मेऽस्तु महादेवानपायिनी
brahmovāca bhagavandevadeveśa tripurāntaka śaṃkara | tvayi bhaktiḥ parā me'stu mahādevānapāyinī
ବ୍ରହ୍ମା କହିଲେ—ହେ ଭଗବନ୍, ଦେବଦେବେଶ, ହେ ତ୍ରିପୁରାନ୍ତକ ଶଙ୍କର! ହେ ମହାଦେବ, ତୁମ ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ପରମ ଭକ୍ତି ହେଉ—ଯାହା କେବେ ଅପସରିବ ନାହିଁ।
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
Sthala Purana: Brahmā’s boon-request is not for power but for aparā-bhakti’s culmination—parā-bhakti that is anapāyinī (non-falling). This aligns with Purāṇic teaching that devotion itself is the highest gift.
Significance: Encourages pilgrims/devotees to seek steadfast devotion rather than merely worldly boons.
Mantra: भगवन्देवदेवेश त्रिपुरान्तक शंकर । त्वयि भक्तिः परा मेऽस्तु महादेवानपायिनी
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches that the highest spiritual attainment begins with parā-bhakti—supreme, unwavering devotion to Mahādeva—so that the soul remains steadily oriented to Pati (Shiva), the liberating Lord.
By addressing Shiva through revered epithets like Devadeveśa and Tripurāntaka, the verse supports saguna-upāsanā—devotional worship of Shiva with attributes—commonly expressed through Linga worship and heartfelt prayer for steadfast bhakti.
The takeaway is daily bhakti-sādhana: repeat the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a vow for anapāyinī devotion, optionally supported by Tripuṇḍra bhasma and Rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness in worship.