Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
प्रीतोहं युवयोस्सम्यग्वरं दद्यां यथेप्सितम् । मयि भक्तिर्दृढा भूयाद्युवयोरभ्यनुज्ञया
prītohaṃ yuvayossamyagvaraṃ dadyāṃ yathepsitam | mayi bhaktirdṛḍhā bhūyādyuvayorabhyanujñayā
நான் உங்களிருவரிடமும் உண்மையாகவே மகிழ்ந்தேன்; நீங்கள் விரும்பியபடியே வரத்தை அளிப்பேன். உங்கள் சம்மதத்தால் என்னிடத்தில் உங்கள் பக்தி எப்போதும் உறுதியாக வளர்க.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Boon-bestowal frame: Śiva, pleased, offers desired boons and explicitly blesses the growth of firm bhakti—grace (anugraha) as the decisive factor in spiritual fruition.
Significance: Highlights that the highest ‘boon’ is dṛḍha-bhakti itself; encourages devotees to seek not only worldly results but stabilizing devotion leading toward liberation.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse shows that Shiva’s highest gift is not merely a worldly boon, but unwavering devotion (dṛḍha-bhakti), which ripens the soul toward liberation under the Lord’s grace.
It affirms Saguna Shiva’s compassionate accessibility: the devotee approaches the Lord through worship (often centered on the Liṅga), and Shiva responds personally by granting blessings and deepening bhakti.
A practical takeaway is to pray for dṛḍha-bhakti while performing daily Shiva-pūjā—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a devotional vow (saṅkalpa) that one’s devotion become steady.