Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 31
Anasūyā–Atri Tapas-Varṇana
Description of Anasūyā and Atri’s Austerities
तत्सर्वमुभयोर्दृष्ट्वा समूचुर्भजनं वरम् । पूर्वैश्च ऋषिभिश्चैव दुष्करं तु तपः कृतम्
tatsarvamubhayordṛṣṭvā samūcurbhajanaṃ varam | pūrvaiśca ṛṣibhiścaiva duṣkaraṃ tu tapaḥ kṛtam
Thấy mọi sự ở cả hai phía, họ tuyên bố rằng bhajana—sự thờ phụng—là con đường tối thượng; bởi ngay cả các bậc hiền triết thời cổ cũng chỉ vì sự chứng đắc thiêng liêng ấy mà thực hành khổ hạnh vô cùng gian nan.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse elevates bhajana (devotional worship) as the श्रेष्ठ साधन (supreme means), implying that even severe tapas becomes fruitful when oriented toward Shiva (Pati) and culminates in devotion and surrender.
By praising bhajana as the best, it supports Saguna-upasana—approaching Shiva through accessible forms such as the Linga, where reverent worship, mantra, and offerings become a direct path to grace beyond mere self-effort.
The takeaway is to prioritize Shiva-bhajana: daily Linga worship with Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), supported by simple disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrाक्षa as aids to steadiness and devotion.