Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
विष्णुरुवाच । यदि प्रीतिः समुत्पन्ना यदि देयो वरश्च नौ । भक्तिर्भवतु नौ नित्यं त्वयि चाव्यभिचारिणी
viṣṇuruvāca | yadi prītiḥ samutpannā yadi deyo varaśca nau | bhaktirbhavatu nau nityaṃ tvayi cāvyabhicāriṇī
พระวิษณุตรัสว่า “หากความรักศรัทธาได้บังเกิดขึ้นจริง และหากจะประทานพรแก่เรา ขอให้ภักติของเราต่อพระองค์เป็นนิตย์—มั่นคงไม่แปรผัน ไม่เคยคลาดจากพระองค์เลย”
Lord Vishnu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it is a paradigmatic boon-request where even Viṣṇu seeks the highest gift: avyabhicāriṇī bhakti to Śiva—mirroring many shrine narratives where the ‘best boon’ is devotion itself.
Significance: Teaches that the supreme ‘phala’ is steadfast bhakti leading to Śiva’s anugraha; for pilgrims, it reframes temple-going from transactional boons to unwavering devotion and liberation-oriented surrender.
Mantra: भक्तिर्भवतु नौ नित्यं त्वयि चाव्यभिचारिणी
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: Boon-request within the primordial divine assembly following Śiva’s instruction and delegation.
FAQs
The verse elevates bhakti itself as the highest boon: not temporary favors, but steadfast, lifelong devotion to Pati (Shiva), which in Shaiva Siddhanta becomes a direct means toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
“Unwavering devotion” is practically expressed through consistent Saguna upasana—regular Linga worship, mantra-japa, and reverent service—so the mind does not “deviate” from Shiva as the chosen refuge and Lord.
A clear takeaway is nitya-bhakti: daily Shiva-smaraṇa with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by simple Linga-puja; the emphasis is constancy rather than occasional intensity.