Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
बाणस्य शोकः शिवस्मरणं च — Bāṇa’s Grief and the Turn to Śiva-Remembrance
शंभुभक्तिर्विशेषेण निर्विकारा सदा मुने । शिवभक्तेषु च स्नेहो दया सर्वेषु जंतुषु
śaṃbhubhaktirviśeṣeṇa nirvikārā sadā mune | śivabhakteṣu ca sneho dayā sarveṣu jaṃtuṣu
ହେ ମୁନେ, ଶମ୍ଭୁଭକ୍ତି ବିଶେଷତଃ ସଦା ନିର୍ବିକାର; ଶିବଭକ୍ତମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସ୍ନେହ ଓ ସମସ୍ତ ଜୀବଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଦୟା ରୂପେ ତାହା ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଏ।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva’s teaching to the sages, inferred from Purāṇic discourse style in Rudrasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga; it defines the lakṣaṇa of true Śiva-bhakti: nirvikāra (unwavering), expressed as sneha toward Śiva-bhaktas and dayā toward all beings—hallmarks of grace-transformed conduct.
Significance: Positions compassion and fellowship with devotees as the fruit-sign (phala-liṅga) of authentic devotion; a practical criterion for spiritual progress.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines mature Śaiva bhakti as nirvikāra—steady and undistorted—recognized not only by inner faith but by outward marks: love for Śiva’s devotees and compassion for all beings, aligning the soul (paśu) toward Pati’s grace.
Linga/Saguṇa worship is meant to purify the heart so devotion becomes stable; this verse gives the test of that purification—reverence for Śiva-bhaktas and universal dayā—showing that ritual culminates in transformed character.
Practice daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of dayā (non-harm, kindness), and cultivate satsanga by serving Śiva’s devotees—making devotion “nirvikāra” through disciplined conduct.