Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 41
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
एवं मया कृतं तत्र तपोत्युग्रं मुनीश्वर । तथापि शंकरो मह्यं न प्रसन्नोऽभवन्मनाक्
evaṃ mayā kṛtaṃ tatra tapotyugraṃ munīśvara | tathāpi śaṃkaro mahyaṃ na prasanno'bhavanmanāk
Ganyan, O panginoon ng mga pantas, isinagawa ko roon ang napakatinding tapasya; ngunit si Śaṅkara ay hindi man lamang bahagyang nalugod sa akin.
A devotee/ascetic narrator (within Suta Goswami’s narration in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It highlights that extreme self-effort (tapas) does not automatically compel Shiva’s grace; in Shaiva Siddhanta, liberation and boons ultimately depend on Śiva’s anugraha (bestowing grace) along with purity, humility, and right devotion.
It implies that Saguna worship—approaching Śiva as Śaṅkara with reverence, surrender, and proper observances—matters as much as austerity; Linga worship is not mere ritual power but a relationship of devotion that invites prasāda (divine favor).
Balance tapas with bhakti: regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-pūjā with sincerity, and inner humility; austerity should be offered as worship rather than as a demand for results.