Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51
विष्णुचेष्टितवर्णनम् / Account of Viṣṇu’s Stratagem and Its Aftermath
अतस्सा बर्बरीत्याख्यामवापातीव गर्हिताम् । धात्रीतुलस्यौ तद्रागात्तस्य प्रीतिप्रदे सदा
atassā barbarītyākhyāmavāpātīva garhitām | dhātrītulasyau tadrāgāttasya prītiprade sadā
अत एव सा ‘बर्बरी’ इति नाम्ना प्रसिद्धिमगमत्, यद्यपि तन्नाम गर्हितप्रायम्। तथापि तद्रागभक्त्या सा तस्मै नित्यं प्रीतिप्रदा बभूव, यथा देवेषु धात्री-तुलस्यौ प्रियतमौ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It emphasizes that sincere attachment and devotion (rāga as steady bhakti) can make one pleasing to the divine, even if one’s outward label or reputation appears “censured.” In Shaiva thought, inner orientation toward Śiva outweighs superficial judgment.
By highlighting prīti (divine delight) gained through devotion, the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching Śiva with love and constancy. Such prīti is traditionally cultivated through Linga-pūjā with offerings like bilva, water, and mantra-japa.
The takeaway is steady bhakti expressed as daily mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Linga worship with pure offerings, performed consistently to deepen prīti (loving communion) with Lord Śiva.