Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 34
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
सांगा ऽनंगा च या सेवा सा भक्तिरिति कथ्यते । सा पुनर्भिद्यते त्रेधा मनोवाक्कायसाधनैः
sāṃgā 'naṃgā ca yā sevā sā bhaktiriti kathyate | sā punarbhidyate tredhā manovākkāyasādhanaiḥ
சிவசேவை—வெளிப்புற அங்கங்களுடன் (சாங்க) செய்தாலும், உள்ளார்ந்த உருவமற்ற (நிரங்க) பக்தியாக இருந்தாலும்—அதுவே ‘பக்தி’ எனப்படுகிறது. அந்த பக்தி மனம், வாக்கு, காயம் என்ற மூன்று சாதனங்களால் மீண்டும் மூவகையாகப் பிரிகிறது.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Defines bhakti as sevā both external (sāṅgā) and internal (anaṅgā), legitimizing temple worship and inward contemplation as complementary; supports integrated pilgrimage-temple and yogic devotion.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It defines bhakti as Śiva-sevā in both external (ritual-supported) and internal (formless, contemplative) ways, and teaches that true devotion must be integrated across mind, speech, and body.
“Sāṅgā” devotion aligns with Saguna worship such as Liṅga-pūjā using offerings and prescribed rites, while “anaṅgā” points to inward Liṅga-bhāvanā—meditative absorption in Śiva beyond mere external acts.
Practice bhakti in three channels: mentally contemplate Śiva and repeat the Pañcākṣarī, verbally chant stotras/japa, and physically perform pūjā and service—optionally with Shaiva supports like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as part of sāṅgā worship.