Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
देवस्तुतिः — Hymn of Praise by the Devas
Devastuti
तथा शुचिव्रतं विप्रमदरिद्रं महाप्रभो । त्वद्भक्तिवर्तिनं मात्रा ज्ञानिनं कृपयाऽकरोः
tathā śucivrataṃ vipramadaridraṃ mahāprabho | tvadbhaktivartinaṃ mātrā jñāninaṃ kṛpayā'karoḥ
அதேபோல், ஓ மகாபிரபுவே! தூய விரதமுடைய அந்தப் பிராமணனை நீர் கருணையால் வறுமையிலிருந்து விடுவித்தீர். உங்கள் அருளால் அவனை உம்மீது பக்தியில் நிலைபெறச் செய்து, மெய்ஞ்ஞானம் அளித்தீர்.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s anugraha (grace): He removes outer suffering (poverty) and, more importantly, grants inner transformation—steadfast bhakti and jñāna—leading the soul toward liberation in a Shaiva Siddhanta sense (release from pāśa through Pati’s grace).
It supports Saguna Shiva worship by emphasizing a personal Lord who responds to devotion: through bhakti directed to Shiva (often expressed via Liṅga-pūjā), the devotee is elevated into jñāna and well-being by Shiva’s compassionate intervention.
The practical takeaway is śuci-vrata (pure observances) joined with Shiva-bhakti—such as daily Liṅga worship, japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and maintaining purity and restraint—so that Shiva’s grace matures into spiritual knowledge.